Preston North End travel to take on Sheffield United in the Championship tonight, meaning there is a potential meeting with ex-PNE defender Ben Davies.
PNE drew 0-0 at Bristol City on Saturday afternoon, and are back on the road tonight with a trip to South Yorkshire.
Tonight’s game will be difficult, especially after Sheffield United hammered Peterborough United 6-2 on Saturday.
North End will hope to spring a shock though, and that would mean beating Davies.
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Davies – from PNE to Sheffield United via Liverpool
Defender Davies emerged through PNE’s ranks, primarily as a left back.
After a loan spell at Fleetwood Town in 2017, Davies became a centre back under Alex Neil.
Davies just didn’t look back, becoming one of PNE’s most reliable players.
In January, Davies made a stunning move to Liverpool. Inside the final six months of his contract, PNE just couldn’t deny Davies such a big move.
Davies failed to play for Liverpool though, and has now been sent on loan to Sheffield United.
Tonight’s game could be Davies’s first game against PNE – if he is available…
Sheffield United expert on Davies
Davies missed Saturday’s win over Peterborough with a knock, so we spoke to Sheffield United expert Lee Connor for some insight on that injury.
“There’s not been a great deal said, just the fact he had a minor problem which ruled him out. Having said that, Jokanovic has confirmed he’s back and ready to play, with local media reporting he’s back in the squad for the Preston clash too.”
Jack Robinson filled in as a left-sided centre back won Saturday.
Sheffield United won 6-2, so would Jokanovic really change a winning team to get Davies back in against PNE?
“In short, yes.”
“Davies is simply better than Jack Robinson. Add in that Robinson made a dreadful blunder in the 6-2 hammering of Peterborough, and I’d be amazed if Davies didn’t come back.”
“Apart from that, Robin Olsen is likely to be the only other change if he’s cleared quarantine. Conor Hourihane and Sander Berge are also pushing for starts”
Davies has only played twice for Sheffield United, but Connor feels that Davies has made a strong impression so far.
“Davies has only featured twice so it’s hard to get a full grasp of what he’ll bring. But most Blades would say he’s looked more than comfortable in the two games he has played.”
“He attempted to play forward against Huddersfield especially, and you can’t help think he’d have thrived at the weekend with fresh midfielders to find.”