Notts County vs Preston North End preview - McCourt concern for County

Posted Monday, April 20, 2015 by PA

Paddy McCourt is an injury concern for Notts County as they prepare to host Preston.

McCourt hobbled off after 33 minutes of the 2-0 defeat at relegation rivals Crawley on Saturday and the Northern Ireland international winger is a doubt for Tuesday night.

Midfielder Liam Noble trained on Sunday and he could come back into the Magpies' squad after missing the last three games.

Winger Jamal Campbell-Ryce will miss the remaining three matches of Notts' fight for survival with a knee injury.

Simon Grayson has a wealth of options as second-placed Preston bid to get back to winning ways following three draws which have threatened to derail their automatic promotion hopes.

Scott Laird (knock), Jermaine Beckford (ankle) and Paul Huntington (back) all overcome problems to start at Port Vale last Friday as North End stretched their unbeaten run to 16 Sky Bet League One games.

However, without a victory in three and with MK Dons breathing down their necks, Grayson could consider turning to the likes of Chris Humphrey and Neil Kilkenny in order to get over the line and avoid the play-offs, an end-of-season shoot-out which Preston have never earned promotion from.

Top scorer Joe Garner will be expected to lead the line fresh from being named League One Player of the Year at Sunday's Football League Awards.