Young Preston North End striker experiences the first-team environment

The teenager was the 19th man for the Deepdale clash, on standby in case Jayden Stockley failed to recover from a stomach bug.

While he did not make the matchday squad, Holland-Wilkinson did the pre-match warm-up and was part of the build-up.

There are likely to be chances for some of North End’s youngsters to be part of the first-team squad after the rule change on the number of substitutes.

Championship clubs can now name nine subs on the bench and use five of them.

Adam O’Reilly was a sub against Wednesday but did not get on the pitch.

With regards to putting Holland-Wilkinson on standby, North End boss Alex Neil said: “Jayden Stockley was ill the day before the Sheffield Wednesday game.

“I had intended to start him but because he’d been ill we put him on the bench.

“There was a temptation to bring Jayden on during the first half when Wednesday had their player sent off.

“But even bringing him on at half-time like we did was probably pushing it.

“Had Jayden not been fit, Holland-Wilkinson would have been on the bench.

“I’m comfortable naming young lads as substitutes.”

Holland-Wilkinson had been on loan at Lancaster City but returned to Deepdale when the second lockdown saw non-league football paused.

The 18-year-old scored twice for the Dolly Blues and caught the eye for them.

Others at PNE are in the same boat regarding loans being put on hold.

O’Reilly, Joe Rodwell-Grant and goalkeeper Mathew Hudson were at Bamber Bridge in order to get games.

Likewise, midfielder Jack Baxter had gone to Stalybridge Celtic just before last month’s lockdown.

It might be that the loans are able to be picked up again when non-league football resumes.

All clubs below National League North/South level were forced to stop playing when the current lockdown measures were announced.

With lockdown ending next week, matches might resume on December 5.

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