Find out which players could be included and who will miss out as in-form Preston head to Newcastle.
Preston manager Simon Grayson
In theory, Preston’s upcoming double header against Newcastle – they face each other in the EFL Cup this evening and in the Championship on Saturday – should be a daunting test for the Lilywhites.
Recent results, however, suggest it perhaps should be Newcastle who feel concerned.
Simon Grayson’s side have defeated Championship high-flyers Huddersfield and Norwich in consecutive matches in the past week, so will travel north confident that they can provide a stern test for Rafael Benitez’s in-form side.
Simon Makienok in his Charlton days
Preston have already caused one upset in this season’s League Cup, knocking out Premier League opposition in Bournemouth in the last round.
Striker Simon Makienok – on loan at Deepdale from Palermo – scored a hat-trick in the 3-2 win at the Vitality Stadium, and told the club’s official website that he is looking for more cup heroics at St James’ Park.
“The last game was special, I scored three goals and now I am thinking about the next round,” he said.
“I’m just going to bring my confidence and my game into the match and not really think about what happened in the past,” he continued. “Hopefully that can help the team win the game.”
Jermaine Beckford celebrates
The Danish striker sat out the victory at Carrow Road on Saturday but is likely to return to the fold on Tyneside. He could be joined up front by Jermaine Beckford, who has been back in full training for two weeks having not featured since August.
Grayson does have some notable absentees that he will have to cope without at St James’ Park.
Alex Baptiste – who scored Preston’s winner on Saturday – and Marnick Vermijl are both cup tied, while Aiden McGeady, John Welsh and Calum Woods are all injured.
Preston’s John Welsh in action
Scottish striker Stevie May is back in full training for the Lilywhites but is lacking match fitness after almost a year on the sidelines.
Preston’s last visit to Newcastle ended in a 3-0 Championship defeat in February 2010, and the Lancashire outfit haven’t won at St James’ Park since 1963.
If they manage to upset the odds and end that record this evening, they will be in the last eight of the League Cup for the first time in their history.
Can Preston do it? Leave your predictions below.
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