Preston North End’s season has taken a dramatic turn for the worse, with manager Paul Heckingbottom confirming that both Jack Whatmough and Duane Holmes are unlikely to play again this campaign.
Defender Whatmough picked up a calf injury during Preston’s FA Cup tie against Wycombe Wanderers and has since been ruled out indefinitely. Having been a consistent performer in the backline, his absence is a significant concern for Heckingbottom as Preston aim to maintain their push for a play-off spot.
However, the more worrying injury is that of Holmes, who suffered a suspected broken leg against Norwich City after a strong challenge from Shane Duffy. The American midfielder was stretchered off just 20 minutes into the match, immediately raising fears of a long-term absence.
“Jack’s going to be out for a while, yeah, nasty one. Whether we see him again this season is doubtful,” Heckingbottom said. “Duane is in hospital, so yeah, it’s not looking good.”
Squad depth under pressure
Preston’s injury list is mounting, adding to Heckingbottom’s concerns. Ben Whiteman, Jordan Storey, and Robbie Brady are already on the sidelines, while Emil Riis has also been absent in recent weeks with a groin problem.
With Whatmough out, Preston may need to rethink their defensive setup, while Holmes’ injury will force a midfield reshuffle. Against Norwich, Brad Potts was brought in as a temporary solution despite having played predominantly as a wing-back in recent years.
Heckingbottom praised his side’s ability to adapt under tough circumstances, particularly in a match where Norwich posed a significant attacking threat.
“We had to be fantastic without the ball, and we were. But then likewise, we had to be as brave as we were with the ball and keep the ball from them.”
Site opinion
Preston’s injury troubles are mounting at the worst possible time. Holmes and Whatmough are major losses, particularly with key squad members already sidelined. Heckingbottom will need to manage his resources carefully, potentially looking towards tactical tweaks to get through this challenging period. The timing is frustrating, with the January transfer window now shut, leaving North End to rely on their existing squad to navigate the final months of the season.
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