[themaclad]

A rarity a home game and a warm welcome to the guys from the Den, Millwall who like ourselves punched above their weight last season making a long run from the relegation zone to the fringes of the play offs, this season could see a similar run as they are again in the danger zone however second season syndrome is always a harder ask and having sold Saville to Boro suspect they will do well to avoid the drop this season,

They have picked up a massive three points on their travels being denied decent results with a couple of late setbacks especially at Norwich where they went from winning to losing in injury time.
No major stars in the side but play for each other, last season bothgames were draws suspect will be a close game again.

Last weekend, Daniel Johnson made his return after missing the three previous games with a thigh problem, and came unscathed and will have benefitted for a second full week in a row on the training pitch.

However, Brandon Barker was forced off after only 25 minutes of the game at the City Ground with a hamstring strain and he will miss the clash with the Lions.

This leaves the PNE boss with a serious lack of options in the attacking areas, with Callum Robinson and Sean Maguire (both hamstring) and Billy Bodin and Josh Harrop (both ACL) ruled out long-term.
One player who has missed the last two games is midfielder Ben Pearson. He returned to training before the win at Forest, but was not risked, however, having had another week of training under his belt, he should be fully refreshed and ready to go against the Lions.
Josh Earl missed the trip to face Aitor Karanaka's men and once again he looks unlikely to be able to return against the south Londoners in PR1 on Saturday.

Last weekend Neil Harris surprised many when he named his line-up, with the likes of Aiden O'Brien, Lee Gregory, Tom Elliott and Steve Morrison were all involved after being all but ruled out earlier in the week.

All should have benefitted from a free midweek and be fit to maintain their roles in the team, but Shaun Williams (ankle) and Tom Bradshaw (knee) are definitely not in contention for the trip to Lancashire.

Ref Watch: Millwall

This Saturday we have a brand new referee at Deepdale, taking charge of a Lilywhites fixture for the first time.

The match official for the clash with Neil Harris' Lions is John Brooks, in his first season on the Select Group Two list of referees.

The Leicestershire ref has taken charge of the visitors before, overseeing their 2016/17 clashes at home to Rochdale and away in Lancashire at Fleetwood Town.

Since his promotion to the Championship lists he has so far taken charge of 17 games, issuing 65 cautions and four red cards, with his last game being Birmingham City's 1-0 home defeat to Bristol City at the weekend.

He will be assisted by Phil Dermott and Akil Howson, whilst the fourth official will be experienced Championship referee Jeremy Simpson.