Preston North End Vs Leicester City
Carling Cup 2nd Round Tuesday 24th August 2009
Thus far, Preston’s start to the 2009/2010 campaign has mirrored that of 2008/2009 in that the Lilywhite’s are currently unbeaten heading into their second cup outing of the season. However, Alan Irvine will not want lightening to strike twice in terms of crashing out of the Carling Cup at just the second hurdle.
North End’s record in the Carling Cup has been relatively poor in recent seasons. Preston have not been able to reach the third round since the 2004/2005 season when, ironically, the Lilywhites beat Leicester City in the second round, a lucky omen perhaps.
Previous Meetings
The last time Leicester visited Deepdale was back in November 2007 when Newcastle United’s Andy Carroll netted the only goal of his loan spell at Deepdale with a looping header over on-loan Sunderland goalkeeper Marton Fulop in the 14th minute to give North End the lead. However, DJ Campbell levelled the scoring just shy of the hour mark to earn a point for Leicester.
The Lilywhites’ last visit to the Walkers Stadium was widely regarded as the game that all but sealed their survival. North End’s goal of the season secured all three points when former West Brom midfielder Darren Carter let loose with a spectacular drive from long-range in the 90th minute.
As mentioned above, the last time North End advanced to the 3rd Round of the League Cup it was to the detriment of Leicester when former Foxes striker Richard Cresswell stole the show with a hat-trick including a 90th minute equaliser.
Cresswell put North End ahead on 34 minutes before Joey Gudjonsson levelled from the penal spot on 68. Nathan Blake then gave Leicester the lead with 15 minutes to go before Cresswell equalled the score in injury time. Cresswell’s hat-trick was complete when he netted North End’s winner in the first half of extra time.
North End have played Leicester in the League Cup 3 times with North End recording 2 wins. However the first win was back in the early 80s when the first rounds of the League Cup were contested over a two-legged tie. Preston won 1-0 at Deepdale before suffering a 4-0 deficit at Filbert Street meaning the Lilywhites lost the tie overall.
Team News
After being stretchered off during the win over Peterborough, Barry Nicholson is North End’s only long-term absentee. The former Aberdeen midfielder will be out for a number of months whilst he recuperates from a broken leg.
Neal Trotman won’t be able to add to his first round goal against Morecambe as the former Oldham defender has joined Southampton on loan until January.
Former Lilywhite’s Paul Gallagher and Wayne Brown are in line to make a Deepdale return for the Foxes.