Raw of the Roses will be the battle-cry for City, despite manager Alan Little's 'guessing game' ploy, writes Tony Kelly.

The City boss will not reveal his line-up preferring to keep hosts Preston clueless, but City may field two 18-year-olds in the season's opener.

As revealed in the Evening Press on Thursday sprightly Martin Garratt is destined for his League baptism in midfield.

And there will likely be a place on the substitutes' bench for either of Garratt's fellow first-year professionals Graham Rennison or Andrew Dawson with City down to just 15 available players for the trip to the Lancashire heartland.

Said Little: "I am not going to name the team until just before kick-off. Preston have watched us twice and I want to keep them guessing.

"Even though I have only 15 fit players I have various options among those lads."

Out of contention are suspended duo Steve Agnew and Neil Tolson, long-term injured brace Tony Barras and John Sharples, and two other crocks, Scott Jordan and Gary Himsworth. While the latter pair both returned to training yesterday they are way short of match fitness.

But the mass absence was not going to faze the City manager. "I will not be using it as an excuse. It's a fact, that's all.

"The players I have at my disposal are good enough to cause Preston problems and win the game. We have had a decent pre-season, where we have been tested and, I would maintain, come through those tests well.

"Now's the time to get the shackles off and get the players to express themselves. I have belief in them, now they must have faith in themselves."

A 9,000-plus crowd is expected for the Roses clash in what Little described as a superb stadium.

"There's something special about the fixture. Preston are a big club with a strong tradition, but we are looking to get off to the good start that we have not had for quite a while."

Preston were today waiting to discover whether last season's top scorer Lee Ashcroft would agree a record £500,000 move to First Division Grimsby Town. If he does then manager David Moyes will seek to get a replacement, with Finnish striker Mixu Paatelainen targetted from Wolves.

City fans are to 'Kop' tip-top facilities on their trip west to Deepdale.

The City faithful will be the first to take up residence for a League game in Preston North End's new Bill Shankly Kop, named after the former Liverpool manager, who starred as a half-back with the Lancashire club before the Second World War.

The late Shankly's face has been etched in the seats of the new 9,000-seater stand in similar vein to the portrait of Sir Tom Finney in the club's main stand, which was unveiled two seasons ago.

City fans will be treated to some rare luxury as the new Kop is well-appointed with up to date facilities.

Along a concourse at the back of the new stand are bars and television screens, plus a betting office for them to have a flutter on the game.

City are giving a month's trial to 6ft. 3in. goalkeeper David Nurse, who has been released from Millwall. The 21-year-old 'keeper began his career at Manchester City before moving south in 1996.

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