Barkhuizen starts: The predicted Preston North End XI to face Sheffield United on Tuesday night | OneFootball

Preston North End manager Ryan Lowe will be feeling like he should be going into Tuesday night’s clash with Sheffield United with three wins from three in his tenure as Lilywhites boss.

Unfortunately though a cruel blow was struck not long before full-time at Deepdale on Saturday afternoon by Birmingham striker Scott Hogan.

North End went into half-time against the Blues with a goal advantage and at several moments in the second half they really should have extended that lead.

Quiz: Can you name which club Preston North End signed these 20 strikers from?

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Emil Riis

Kobenhavn Aalborg Randers Silkeborg

However Hogan’s header six minutes from time rescued a point for Lee Bowyer’s side and it stopped Lowe from continuing his perfect league run with North End.

That result has to be put to one side though as the Blades visit Deepdale this week – let’s see how Lowe could line his side up.

North End performed well for the most part on Saturday afternoon but there were times where they were very open, leaving them vulnerable to counter attacks.

You can’t change the back three right now though unless there are undisclosed injuries, and with Josh Earl still ruled out with injury it will mean Greg Cunningham will continue where he left off at the weekend at left wing back.

There’s no real reason to change the midfield three either although Ali McCann will be pushing for another start, whilst PNE’s lack of cutting edge was exposed against Birmingham with Ched Evans spurning chances and Emil Riis not performing well.

But with Scott Sinclair and Sean Maguire failing to impress recently as well it’s hard to split Riis and Evans up – the only player you could imagine coming in for either is Tom Barkhuizen who has recently returned from injury.

However we have him slotting in at right wing back to face Paul Heckingbottom’s side as that’s the position he featured in against Birmingham in the second half as a substitute.

Lowe wants his wing backs to attack and play high up the pitch and that’s what Barkhuizen excels at, so it makes sense to bring him in in that position now he’s fit once again.