Preston emerge as Championship surprise package ahead of West Brom trip

Paul Heckingbottom has led the Lilywhites into fourth-place after losing just once in their opening nine games (winning four, drawing four). 

PNE sit three places and two points above West Brom ahead of their trip to the Hawthorns on Saturday. 

The results over the course of September, which heralded a 1-0 win at Derby County and draws against Middlesbrough, Bristol City and Hull City, saw Heckingbottom nominated for Championship Manager of the Month. 

He was beaten to the award by Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna, but Preston signed off for the international break with a 2-0 success over Charlton Athletic courtesy of goals from Thierry Small and Daniel Jebbison. 

Among the strong early season starters is former Albion loan midfielder Lewis Dobbin, who has scored twice in six appearances since joining on loan from Aston Villa.

The 22-year-old played 18 times for the Baggies during the first half of last season, before joining Norwich City, also on loan, after he was recalled by Villa.

Spanish full-back Pol Valentin will miss out with a muscle injury and is not expected to return until later this month, after missing the past two games before the international break.

Experienced midfielder Brad Potts is also set to be absent, also with a muscle injury, and is likely to be side lined along with striker Will Keane.

Summer signing Jordan Thompson is edging closer to being in contention for his Preston debut after returning to training last week. 

The midfielder was the first new arrival of the summer transfer window, but has not featured his new club due to an ankle injury that he picked up at the end of last season.