A visit from and a visit to Lancashire this week.

You can probably trace our return to form from the cup game we won at Deepdale. Prior to that game Preston were unbeaten and it was a fine and unexpected result.

Since that game, Preston have been stolid and unspectacular. They currently lie 10^th and come to us off the back of a 2-1 over Barnsley.

The game could have ended 1-1 until the dying moments when Sean St Ledger’s unleashed a scorcher.

Preston manager Alan Irvine was ecstatic; “We know he is capable of bursting out with the ball. He does that many times, but we didn't expect him to go and do that. He made a great decision to come out. He obviously decided his best option was to have a shot and we got a break. It was a good result and I'm obviously delighted about it.”

Preston fans are probably still on a high after beating local rivals Blackpool at Bloomfield Park; "We all know what derbies mean and hopefully this can kick-start our season. All our players are coming back from injuries, we played well today and we're feeling good about ourselves.”

The only reported injury concern for the Lilywhites is on loan winger Ross Wallace who was suffering from Dizziness at the weekend. Wayne Brown will play his last game before returning to Hull/

Preston facts

The Rams

“We need to show greater consistency. We need to put back-to-back wins together. We've got to go on another run, so if we win two or three on the spin we are right back up there.”

That was Paul Jewell’s assistant Chris Hutchings speaking on Radio Derby. The fine victory over Sheffield Wednesday has been book ended by dismal away defeats at Reading and Ipswich.

There seem to be two problems with the Rams. An inability to defend a high ball into the area and an inability to create many chances at the other end.

The cause of the first problem is well known. We have two available centre halves now- Lewin Nyatanga and Darren Powell. Even Claude is injured now. There’s no point bemoaning the problem. We need to get players in or the ones we have need to recover.

We keep hearing that Jewell would like to bring in 2-3 players on loan. Well do it - don’t keep telling us about it. It just sounds like the rubbish we used to hear from Murdo.

The creativity problem is another issue. Kris Commons blows alarmingly hot or cold and may actually be injured for tonight. Nacer Barazite promises a lot but his raw talent needs harnessing and he has to learn he needs to play as part of a team. We have a few other options but given that Gary Teale gets selected ahead of them - and Jewell is looking at Irish wingers - it doesn’t bode well for how good they may be.

Mick's Team: Carroll, Stewart, Powell, Nyatanga, Connolly, Commons, Addison, Green, Barazite, Ellington, Hulse

What the bookies think

Derby are favourites with William Hill at 11/10 while the draw is at 11/5. You can get 2/1 on the Lilywhites.

Favourite to score is Tito Villa while a good bet would be 4/1 on Paul Green. Chris Brown & Neil Mellor are the Preston favourites at 11/4.

Information for travelling fans

Drinking: There are a few pubs very close to the ground but if you come by train, the locale around the station is fairly inviting. The Crown and Cushion at the junction of London Rd always seems to be full of away supporters. The Brunswick is a must for any real ale fans and the Alexandra next door is my personal favourite. Fans tend to mingle in these pubs and as long as you’re not being aggressive, the atmosphere is good. The Waterfall opposite the station is okay as well. If you are driving, the Navigation Pub on London Rd opposite the parking area is your best bet. Around the ground there's a Frankie & Bennie's, Harvester and the Pride Park but these tend to be very busy.

Driving: Preston to Derby is about 110 miles. Take the M6 then head south until J16 or J15 (not much in it) then A500 to the A50 through Stoke. Follow the A50 to Derby and stay on it until the turn off for Alvaston. There will be traffic around Alvaston however if you stay on London Rd you can get to the parking areas described below.

Parking: It used to be at the old Wilmorten College site however that is now a housing estate so away fans should park at Catalyst on London Rd opposite the Navigation pub. It’s about 10-15 minutes from the ground. Don’t be tempted to park at Pride Park shopping centre unless you fancy being clamped. You can also park for a £5 at the hospital further up London Rd near the hospital and the Railway station. Another alternative is to pass the exit for Pride Park on Brian Clough Way and head for Pentagon Island. Take the first exit and turn left and after a few hundred yards you will come to The Cattle Market Car Park. It’s about 10 minutes walk to the ground from here.

Mick’s prediction

If we play like we did against the Wendies, we shouldn't have any problems. Play like we did at Ipswich ...

We are playing a lot of games and it has to take a toll. This is where character comes to the fore and we need to get behind the team.

Photo: Action Images

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