Crewe v Gillingham
RUSSELL SLADE wants answers from Gabon over the loss of star defender Bruno Manga.
Manga is out for up to nine weeks after returning to Cardiff from international duty with a groin injury.
He played in the 3-3 draw with Tunisia but was hurt in training ahead of facing Congo.
Furious Bluebirds boss Slade said: “I just want to know how the injury happened. We’ve tried to find out but it’s always very difficult to find out what training they are doing or what injuries players pick up when they are with Gabon.
“We could help them if we could get information out of them on what they are doing.”
It has been a torrid start to the season for the £5million signing from Lorient. Slade said: “It’s really frustrating for him and disappointing for us. Bruno has had so many injuries. He was out for 14 days after our pre- season tour, he then picked up a shoulder problem and now this.”
Skipper David Marshall is ready to return at Deepdale after a two-game ban for a red card. But stand-in goalkeeper Simon Moore helped earn a point last time out at Brighton with a string of top saves.
Slade ( far right) said: “We went into the game against the top side in the league last weekend with a positive intent to try to pick up three points. In the end we were probably lucky to come away with one, but we’ll take the same positive intent into the g game at Preston.” P Preston captain Tom C Clarke hopes some s straight talking will kick-start North End’s season.
The Lilywhites are se second from bottom of the Championship after winning just one league game since promotion last term.
But Clarke (above) believes some frank discussions between the players and staff during the international break can spark an improvement. He said: “The break has been good for us. We’ve been having meetings and watching videos of what we can improve on.
“We’ve talked about a lot in the meetings so it’s been good and everyone is just raring to go now.”
George Ray (cheekbone) could play for Crewe in a mask as Harry Wilson, Marcus Haber, and Stephen Kingsley return. Ryan Jackson (groin) is back for the Gills.