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Glen Williams

The early Preston v Cardiff City team news as four key attackers push for starting spots

Cardiff City trio Josh Murphy, Lee Tomlin, Nathaniel Mendez-Laing and Robert Glatzel could all be pushing for starting spots against Preston.

The exciting attacking stars all missed out last weekend, with Tomlin and Mendez-Laing having worked their way back to full fitness, Murphy having missed out owing to a calf injury and Glatzel coming on to score that wonder goal to seal the win over Leeds.

But given Mendez-Laing's impressive cameo last weekend and Tomlin's continued importance to the Bluebirds' attacking ranks this season, Neil Harris will have had something of a selection dilemma on his hands this week.

Murphy, meanwhile, missed out on last weekend's 2-0 triumph over Leeds United after picking up a knock in the friendly match against Swansea City the week earlier.

Harris said the injury was not too serious, but refused to be drawn on whether the player would miss out for the second week running.

"We had Josh Murphy miss the last game and he is very touch and go for this weekend," Harris said.

"It might just come too soon for him, but otherwise it looks like we have come through last week unscathed."

In terms of the defence, however, it looks as though Harris will be afforded the luxury of selecting the same back five.

Alex Smithies will take the gloves once again after another stellar display against Leeds United last week, while the defensive quartet of Dion Sanderson, Sean Morrison, Curtis Nelson and Joe Bennett look set for another run-out.

Harris plumped for a midfield three of Will Vaulks, Leandro Bacuna and Joe Ralls last week and in all likelihood he could stick with that this weekend, given how solid they were and the industry he might need in the engine room up at Deepdale, meaning Tomlin might have to settle for a place on the bench for one more week.

It would not be surprising, though, if Mendez-Laing was selected over Albert Adomah on that right-hand side.

Adomah has been tremendous since he came in back in January, but Mendez-Laing really appeared to have the bit between his teeth last weekend and that might just have convinced the manager to give him the nod this weekend.

On the other flank is where Murphy might come into the fray. But, in all truth, he will have to go some way to oust Junior Hoilett after his display against Marcelo Bielsa's side.

Up front, Glatzel will certainly be pushing Callum Paterson for his shirt, with both players putting in mightily impressive performances in the first fixture back.

Harris went with Paterson last week because of the player's physicality and ability to hold the ball up with his back to goal, which he did with aplomb, before Glatzel was introduced when the game opened up.

It might just be that Harris does the same this weekend against Preston.

"Lots to consider," he said, regarding team selection. "The opponent is different, another very physical team we are playing against.

"Not physical as in nasty, but running ability, like Leeds, as good as anyone in the division in making you run.

"The amount of games, trying to say it's one game at a time but then also listening to that advice while focusing on the next one.

"Will all my players be able to play all eight games in 27 days? No. Will any of them? Probably not. Maybe goalkeepers or centre halves or something, but probably not even them.

"Lots to consider into the team selection. But what I will say is that I used 16 players last weekend and there were solid performances from all 16."

Isaac Vassell is a long-term absentee, while Greg Cunningham trained this week but it is as yet unknown whether he will play any part in the remaining eight matches.

It was also announced this week Jazz Richards has left the club and has played his final game for the Bluebirds after his contract expired.

Predicted Cardiff City XI (4-5-1) : Smithies; Sanderson, Morrison, Nelson, Bennett; Mendez-Laing, Bacuna, Vaulks, Ralls, Hoilett; Paterson.

We've had our say, you can have yours below:

For Preston, meanwhile, there are no fresh injury concerns either.

Louis Moult remains out, as well as Josh Ginnelly and club captain Tom Clarke, who is to leave the club on June 30.

Darnell Fisher wasn't ready to start last weekend against Luton, but should be fit now and could come into the team. Preston came through Luton and this week's training unscathed.

Predicted Preston XI (4-3-3): Rudd; Browne, Bauer, Davies, Hughes; Pearson, Gallagher, Johnson; Sinclair, Barkhuizen, Harrop

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