Injuries will mean that Micky Adam will not name his side until just before kick off as City journey up the M6 to Preston.
The City manager who has lost the services of Andy Morrell for a month after the former Wrexham striker damaged ankle ligaments in the opening minutes of the defeat at Newcastle, is also without Stern John who is on international duty with Trinidad & Tobago.
Adams also has concerns about the fitness of Dele Adebola, Eddy Johnson, Stuart Giddings, Luke Steele and new boy Richard Duffy, whilst Christian Negouai is only rated as doubtful.
City Reserve team striker Craig Reid has been drafted in, after scoring for the reserves in a 1-0 win at Ipswich on Monday and some good performances throughout the season.
Graham Barrett who also played for the reserves on Monday could also feature, deputising for Morrell.
Preston on the other hand have a full strength team from which manager Billy Davies can select from. Preston have not lost since a 2-0 defeat by local rivals Burnley on December 11th and know that victory would see them move into a play-off place.
City lost 4-2 last season at Deepdale and have only managed one draw at Preston since relegation in 2001.
The referee is Russell Booth from Nottingham. This will be his first Championship game. So far this season he has been in charge of 18 games showing 54 yellow cards and two red. Of these eighteen games, the home side has won ten times, the away team five times with three draws.
There are plenty of tickets left for City supporters priced at £17 in the Bill Shankly Kop Lower tier.
Worth a look at if you have not been already is the National Football Museum which is next door to the ground at Deepdale.
City’s Academy travel to Reading but if you fancy a local game, In the Midland Combination, Coventry Sphinx are at home to Nuneaton Griff, Coventry Marconi face Alveston and Massey Ferguson take on Barnt Green Spartak. League leaders Leamington are also at home playing Pilkington XXX
On Sunday, Coventry City Ladies and reserves have a home double against Oldham Curzon. The Ladies’ game is at Coventry Sphinx and kick off is at 2pm. Manager Mark Phillips is hoping that, Nigerian international striker Blessing Igbojoinu who scored on her debut in a 4-2 defeat at Sunderland will get the goals. Phillips said: “Our home form has been reasonably good this season and it is at home where we need to make sure we win the rest of our remaining games.”
The reserves game takes place at Coventry University and kick off is also at 2pm.