[themaclad]

In The Dressing Room

Robbie Brady could return to training this weekend ahead of Monday’s match, after missing the past two fixtures through injury.

Ben Whiteman, who missed the defeat to Sheffield United with a groin issue, is unlikely to make the final match of the season.

There are no fresh injury concerns for Ryan Lowe to worry about, with only the longer-term absentees sidelined while Bambo Diaby is still missing through suspension.

A Look At Our Visitors


Sunderland will arrive at Deepdale on Monday still in with a chance of achieving a Play-Off spot.

Tony Mowbray’s side will need other results to go in their favour – with Coventry City and Millwall within their reach – but Sunderland will need to win either way if they are to have any chance.

The Black Cats have hit form at the right time of the season, having gone eight games unbeaten, and they’ll be backed by a sold-out away end at Deepdale.

Going Head To Head


Games played: 121
PNE wins: 34
Draws: 34
Sunderland wins: 53
Last victory: Sunderland 0-2 PNE, 17th March 2018

One To Watch

Amad Diallo – a youngster who has been regarded very highly at parent club Manchester United since his arrival from Atalanta since 2021 – has enjoyed a brilliant first season in the Championship.

The Ivory Coast international didn’t have the loan spell he would have hoped for with Rangers last term, but he has really shown his quality at the Stadium of Light this season.

A crucial part of their team, Amad has mainly operated from the right during the course of the campaign and has scored 12 goals along the way.

Match Official

Bobby Madley, the man who took charge of North End’s opening game of the season, will referee Monday's Championship finale.

Madley showed a red card to Ched Evans on that curtain-raising fixture against Wigan Athletic at the end of July, and that’s one of six he’s produced this season.

In total this campaign, Madley has refereed 22 games, showing 93 yellow cards and those six reds.

MACS VIEW

So we reach the end of a season that was a bit of a mixture, lot's of away wins, home defeats five on the trot, apparently we overachieve every season, tell that to Luton and Millwall who probably have similar sized budgets
Still not taken to Mr Fantastic who is happy to take the kudos when we win but blames everyone else when we lose like last Saturday, be surprised if Parrott plays can't have a go at Mr Fantastic can we now!!!
Visitor's Sunderland need to win think they will achieve that whether it will be enough is out of their hands
Sold 5600 should be a great atmosphere pity the visiting support probably won't see the Blackpool Road Cherry Blossom trees in full glory given it's blowing a gale at the moment