Cannon starts: The predicted Preston XI to play Tottenham in the FA Cup on Saturday | OneFootball

Preston North End booked their spot in round four of the FA Cup earlier in January with a convincing 3-1 victory over Championship rivals Huddersfield Town – but they face a much stiffer challenge on Saturday evening in the form of Tottenham Hotspur.

Goals from Bambo Diaby, Alan Browne and an own goal from Terriers defender Tom Lees made sure PNE were in the hat for the last 32, and they will now face Spurs for the first time since 2009 when the Londoners routinely dispatched the Lilywhites from the EFL Cup by five goals to one.

Ryan Lowe’s side are coming off the back of a league victory last weekend against Birmingham City, whilst Spurs’ form has been inconsistent since returning to action following the FIFA World Cup, with three victories, three losses and one draw in all competitions.

Quiz: What club do these 15 ex-Preston North End academy players play for now?

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Josh Brownhill

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Without a trophy since 2008, Spurs will be desperate for success and will no doubt start a strong 11, but how will PNE line-up on the opposite side of the pitch?

There will not be too many surprises taking to the pitch at Deepdale for the home side at 6pm on Saturday night, and there will be some enforced changes in the squad.

North End will be lacking senior striking options against Tottenham with Liam Delap cup-tied and Troy Parrott ineligible to face his parent club – Sean Maguire’s departure to Coventry City has also left Lowe short this weekend, with just Tom Cannon and Ched Evans to really choose from, although Bed Woodburn could potentially play there as well.

In midfield, there could be a return for Ben Whiteman, who has missed the last few matches through injury but has returned to training ahead of the visit of Conte’s side.

And there will be no shocks in defence as Robbie Brady and Alan Browne look set to continue at wing-back, with the only potential dilemma being who starts on the right-hand side of the back three.

That spot could go to Diaby, who rifled in his first ever North End goal against Huddersfield in round three, and his recovery pace could be preferred to that of Jordan Storey.