Cotterill Ready For Preston Reunion

Both teams were promoted from Sky Bet League One last season, City being crowned champions and Preston via a 4-0 play-off final victory over Swindon Town at Wembley.

Now the two teams will mix it again at Deepdale, where last season City took a giant step towards the title by securing a 1-1 draw against their rivals.

“We’ve got a couple of games coming up against the teams that came up with us last season,” Cotterill told bcfc.co.uk. “We’re looking forward to those reunions.

“When you get promoted alongside teams you always look on them with fond memories, when last season we were fierce rivals.

“It’ll be good to go up there and see Simon (Grayson, Preston manager) and the Preston lads. We have great respect for them, probably like they do for us.

“They’re a very similar team to last year, much the same as us. We know them well but they know us well also.

“We want to go up there and win the game, make no bones about that. The handshake and glass of wine can wait until afterwards.”

Hamstring injury victim Greg Cunningham may be unable to face his former employers, having left City for Preston in the summer.

“He did great for me and it was a scenario where he was on a good wage with us and if he wasn’t going to be starting games regularly, I think Greg would have wanted [a move] anyway this season,” Cotterill added.

“Even though we were short (in squad numbers), we had to do right by Greg. He was a great back-up for Joe Bryan last year but also great in the dressing room. We wish him all the best.”

Wes Burns is likely to miss out again due to a thigh injury.