Preston North End have been hit with a devastating injury blow, with manager Paul Heckingbottom confirming that both Jack Whatmough and Duane Holmes are likely to miss the remainder of the season.
Double injury setback for Preston
Whatmough, a key figure in the Lilywhites’ defence, suffered a calf injury during last weekend’s FA Cup clash against Wycombe Wanderers. The 27-year-old was forced off in the second half and was absent from the squad for the midweek Championship fixture against Norwich City. Speaking after the match, Heckingbottom admitted the situation was not promising.
Holmes’ injury, however, is even more severe. The American midfielder was stretchered off at Carrow Road after a heavy challenge from Shane Duffy. Reports suggest that he has suffered a suspected leg break, a significant setback for both the player and the club.
“He’s in hospital so yeah, it’s not looking good,” Heckingbottom said. “We’ll get around Duane and make sure he’s okay, but yeah, it’s not good and it’s put a dampener on a fantastic victory. Horrible, yeah, horrible.”
Growing injury concerns
Preston’s injury list is growing at an alarming rate. With captain Ben Whiteman already sidelined and key squad members Jordan Storey, Robbie Brady, and Emil Riis struggling for fitness, North End’s depth is being severely tested.
Holmes’ injury forced Heckingbottom into a tactical reshuffle during the Norwich match. He introduced Brad Potts into midfield, a position he has not regularly played in recent seasons, over other midfield options like Sam Greenwood.
“Sometimes they can blow teams away here if they’re getting the flow. They’ve got good footballers, so we had to be fantastic without the ball, and we were.”
Writer’s view
This is a brutal double blow for Preston at a critical stage of the season. Holmes has been a vital creative force, while Whatmough’s absence leaves a significant gap in the backline. With the club already struggling with injuries, Heckingbottom must now find a way to keep his squad competitive. January signings could have helped, but the squad will have to dig deep to maintain their promotion push.
