Deepdale Saturday February 9 3pm

The Lowdown

The Sky Blues return to the road next weekend when they go in search of their first away win of the New Year in the Championship at Deepdale.

Last weekend's stunning 4-0 home victory over Barnsley has eased City's relegation worries and victory over third-bottom Preston North End will increase the gap between Iain Dowie's men and the drop zone.

However, they will come up against a Preston side who are hoping a magnificent 4-1 over Derby County in the FA Cup Fourth Round will prove a springboard to success.

Indeed, Alan Irvine's men made an impressive start to making that happen having beaten league leaders 2-1 on home soil, despite finishing the game with nine-men.

The Lilywhites went ahead when former Derby defender Youl Mawene converted Darren Carter's cross before Zoltan Gera levelled for the free-scoring Baggies.

However, striker Karl Hawley (pictured right) popped-up with a header - his third goal in two games - to put Preston back ahead and even though Mawene and new signing from Norwich, striker Chris Brown, both saw red the home side held out to claim a huge victory which moved them to within a point of safety.

However, last weekend saw a last-minute strike from midfielder Darel Russell send Preston to an unfortunate 1-0 defeat at Norwich.

A relegation battle wasn't an expected predicament for the Lancashire outfit at the start of the season.

Despite the big-money sale of star striker David Nugent to Portsmouth, optimism was high amongst supporters as Preston, under the stewardship of Paul Simpson, looked to improve on last season's seventh place finish.

But a desperately poor start to the season, which included a 2-1 defeat at the Ricoh Arena in front of the Sky TV cameras back in September, eventually cost Simpson his job and Everton assistant manager Irvine, was quickly appointed as his successor.

Irvine managed to win four but lost the other eight of his first twelve matches in charge, although performances have certainly picked up of late.

The Gaffer

Alan Irvine took up his first managerial post with Preston in November, boasting a reputation as one of the most outstanding coaches in English football.

The 49-year-old Scot has an exceptional background in the game, one which lured North End Chairman Derek Shaw into making an approach to Everton for his services.

Born in Glasgow on July 12, 1958, Alan enjoyed a successful playing career with QPR, Everton, Crystal Palace, Dundee United and Blackburn.

Irvine began his coaching career at Ewood Park once his playing days ended with the Lancashire club in 1992, before later becoming their academy director, a position he went on to assume at Newcastle United.

However, when David Moyes moved from Preston to Everton as manager, he headhunted his Scottish compatriot to become his right-hand man on Merseyside.

It was a partnership that blossomed as the Toffees resurged to compete at the right end of the Premiership, the highlight a top-four finish in 2005.

But the lure of full-time management was one the Scot couldn't refuse and his first task is to steer the Lilywhites out of trouble.

Star Man

An exciting attacking midfielder who has started all-but-one of Preston's matches under new manager Irvine, Simon Whaley will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of his former Bury team-mate David Nugent.

Signed from the Shakers in January 2006, Whaley replicated the England cap in making the move to Deepdale from Gigg Lane.

After impressing in the lower leagues, he cost North End an initial fee of £250,000 which could eventually rise to £300,000 and scored three goals in 17 appearances before the end of the 2005/06 campaign, including a strike at the Rioch Arena against the Sky Blues.

His progress continued last season as he hit seven goals from 33 starts and despite falling out of favour with former boss Paul Simpson at the start of the season, he has since returned with five goals from just 15 starts from out wide on either flank.

Team News

Last Time We Met

Tuesday, November 28 2006
Preston North End 1-1 Coventry City

Preston moved to the top of the Championship despite being held by the Sky Blues, who left it late to equalise.

Striker David Nugent rose to meet a Danny Pugh cross and head the ball in off the bar in the 34th minute to put the hosts ahead.

The Sky Blues levelled with ten minutes remaining when Dele Adebola slotted home left-footed from 12 yards.

But a point was enough for North End to replace Cardiff at the summit of the division.

Click HERE for directions to Deepdale.

Click HERE to see an exclusive pre-match interview with manager Iain Dowie on Sky Blues World