Coventry City play their final game of 2005 on New Years Eve with a trip to Preston North End for a sensible lunch time (1pm) kick off.
For Micky Adams, the last few days have been hellish as far as his team line up is concerned. Highly influential defender Robert Page is out for a minimum of six weeks with a double fracture of the cheekbone sustained in Wednesday’s 1-1 draw with Crewe. Richard Duffy has a broken nose and Michael Doyle is suspended.
Preston have had a couple of extra days without a game after the Football League’s stupid idea to send them to Plymouth on Wednesday night backfired when the game was postponed. Lillywhites boss Billy Davies could have Calum Davidson available but Andy Lonergan and Michael Brown are long term injuries.
There is a change of referee with Lee Probert taking over from the ill Steve Tanner. The Gloucestershire based referee was in charge of City’s 2-1 home defeat to Stoke City.
Last season, the sides drew 1-1 at Highfield Road with Preston winning 3-2 at Deepdale. This is the 22nd meeting between the two clubs with City having won on eight occasions with seven draws, although City have not won at Deepdale since relegation to the Football League.
To get to DEEPDALE,PRESTON,PR1 6RU
From North, South and East: Exit M6 at junction 31. At the roundabout take the first exit (s/p Preston A59) onto the A59. At mini-roundabout after 1.0 miles, by the Hesketh Arms, take the second exit (s/p Ring road, Blackpool A583, Football Ground) onto the Blackpool Road A5085. Carry straight on for 1.2 miles, then filter left before the lights (s/p Town Centre, Football Ground) into Sir Tom Finney Way. The ground is on the left-hand-side.
From the Railway Station: It is about 1.6 miles from the station to Deepdale. If you catch a taxi from outside the station it will cost approximately £5: You should come out of the station and turn left in front of the Fishergate Centre, passing The Railway pub. Turn right at the T-junction. The road forks left and becomes Corporation Street, which you should ignore. Instead walk straight down Fishergate - the main shopping thoroughfare - After 0.75 miles the road becomes Church Street - with the Parish church on your right-hand-side. Carry on until you reach the junction with the A6. Cross over the road, the prison will be on your right-hand-side and a pub on the left, called the County Arms. Turn left so The 'Arms' is now on your right - this is Deepdale Road. The Ground is on the right-hand-side after 0.75 miles.
By Bus: All buses from the train station go to the bus station. From there, numbers 5, 6 and 19 run a long Deepdale Road. The number 19 is the most frequent, running every five minutes or so. It will cost approximately 80 pence to get to the ground from the bus station but have plenty of change because the bus drivers ask for the exact money.