Preston North End midfielder answers questions on his debut and being a fan watching his side

Leigh came off the bench in North End’s 4-1 win over Huddersfield Town in the Carabao Cup, realising a lifelong dream for the 19-year-old.

He sat down with the Lancashire Post to answer our Q&A ahead of this weekend’s game against Watford…

What did it feel like making your PNE debut?

“There are no words for it really, I was watching on the sidelines and they went 1-0 up, 2-0 up, 3-0 up, and I'm like 'I'm going to get on here.'

"I thought I would be alright but I got to the touchline and my legs were shaking.

"It was unbelievable to come on the pitch. It's a learning curve, hopefully I won't be as nervous as that next time - hopefully there's a next time anyway!”

You are a PNE fan, aren’t you?

“I used to go and watch all the time with my dad when I was younger, I can't remember the last time I went on with him to be honest because now I'm with the boys.

"From the age of about four or five, League One, the play-off final and into the Championship, all the way through.

"We sat in the Invincibles, I don't like singing! I'm all for it when a goal goes in but I'm not sitting in the Kelly (Alan Kelly Town End)!

Does it mean more playing for North End as a fan?

“I get it. You don't play football to lose games but especially for a club that you support, that you've grown up with.

"I've lived round the corner from Deepdale so I know what it means to the fans.

"When we were struggling last year, I was with them. Even though I was here I was still with them, being a Preston fan I get it.

You play in a similar role to Ben Whiteman, have you been looking towards him or other players to learn from?

“What a player to learn off, he hardly gives the ball away. He's a top player and I'm more of a defensive midfielder like him.

"Ryan Ledson is probably the senior player I've been closest to so far, he's very good with me. He talks to me and helps me out.

"Against Huddersfield I miscontrolled a throw in and I'm thinking 'oh no, what have I just done there' and he came straight over to me and reminded me it's just a learning curve, it was my first game and I was bound to be nervous.”

What are your aims for the rest of the season?

“The aim now is to get more minutes, even if it's five minutes and then 10 minutes. Hopefully it will lead into time in the Championship as well.

"Seeing Mikey O’Neill and Jacob Slater do well too drives me. It's all I've ever done, football, I've never really had a plan B.

"Teachers at school always say to have a plan B but I never really listened to them to be honest.

"It's always been football for me, seeing my mates do well makes me want to do well.”