Hardy members of the Fratton faithful would’ve had their alarms set early this morning as they embark on a near 525-mile round trip to Preston. It will be the first visit to Deepdale in more than 12 years for the Blues, who will be accompanied by more than 3,500 supporters in the Bill Shankly Kop End.

Follow live coverage as Sunderland face Preston North End in the Championship today. An increasingly competitive second tier in English football remains an intense and exciting competition, with the prize of a place in the Premier League on offer at the end of the season.

Preston North End have won just two of their last 23 away league games against Sunderland (D13 L8), though those two wins have come across their last four visits to the Stadium of Light.