Watford 0-0 Preston North End RECAP and highlights from goalless draw

One change for the Hornets - Kone out, Asprilla in.

Starting XI: Bachmann; Sierralta, Hoedt (c), Porteous, Andrews, Lewis, Kayembe, Dele-Bashiru, Aspirlla, Dennis, Bayo. Subs: Hamer, Pollock, Morris, Livermore, Ince, Kone, Chakvetadze, Martins, Rajovic

PNE starting XI: Woodman; Storey, Lindsay, Cunningham, Brady, Whatmough, McCann, Hughes, Keane, Riis, Osmajic. PNE subs: Cornell, Seary, Best, T Mawene, N Mawene, Holmes, Frokjaer, Woodburn, Stewart.

Alan Browne remains out, as Jordan Storey returns to the starting XI. It looks like Jack Whatmough is going to partner Ali McCann in central midfield.

Mads Frokjaer drops to the bench, along with Noah Mawene, as Milutin Osmajic and Greg Cunningham start. Liam Millar drops out of the squad all together.

“Preston are a well-organised outfit, experienced at this level, they win duels, they work hard, they have quality, and they are eighth for a reason, they do what they do well. We are making our players fully aware of the challenge that is upon us, I know we had a very, very positive result when we played them at their place, but we understand the challenge ahead.”

“Well, it didn’t mean anything to me until I came here and I realised what it means to the fans, I must say,” said Lowe. “They have been fantastic, every Gentry Day. The last one wasn’t a good day, on the pitch, but it was a good one for them. The one before that was Barnsley away, which was fantastic.

“I remember it being a good day, a good occasion and I even had the bowler hat on myself, after that one. So yeah, listen, it means a lot with people the football club has lost - family, friends and we always want to make it a special day. That is up to us, as coaching staff and players, to do that on the pitch. I am sure the fans will make it a special day, off it.”

"He has done a fantastic job," said Lowe. "Sometimes, when you go in after being a player you get that love off the players he's played with - and that respect, regardless of what he's done so far in his coaching career. With the games he's played in and the clubs he has played for, he's definitely got the respect - because he was a good player. And he's becoming a good coach and manager, as we sit here and speak. We've got to make sure we are on it from minute one. We have to nullify their strengths and hopefully we can pick up some points."

PNE

Ben Whiteman, Ryan Ledson, Ched Evans and Brad Potts will all miss out. Alan Browne could return from illness, while Jordan Storey is looking to shake off his hip knock - suffered against Rotherham United. The centre-back was an unused substitute on Monday, while Liam Millar is not 100 per cent fit - but came off the bench at Birmingham late on.

Watford

Giorgi Chakvetadze and Jack Grieves are both back after illness. Jeremy Ngakia and Ken Sema will return in the next week or so, after long-term absences.

Good afternoon from Vicarage Road, where Preston North End take on Watford. It’s Gentry Day for the Lilywhites - always a great occasion in the season. And it’s a cracking day for it, in Hertfordshire - where the temperature is up and a breeze is in the air. PNE need a result today in order to keep pace with the play-offs. Team news to come at 2pm!