Lewis Leigh is hoping to continue showing what he is about during the rest of pre-season as he looks for a spot in the first team.
The 19-year-old, who was with the senior squad when fit for pretty much the entirety of the 2022/23 campaign, has featured in each friendly so far in preparation for the new season.
Lewis scored a fantastic solo goal while wearing the captain’s armband during the 3-0 victory over Bury at Gigg Lane on Sunday afternoon.
Having also been with the first team during the six-day training camp in Spain, the central midfielder is hoping he can keep taking chances when they come.
Lewis said: “Obviously I’m applying myself every day and it’s just little touches.
“Coming off the break, you’re obviously going to be a bit rusty, but [it’s about] just letting that rust go.
“Hopefully I can take it into the next couple of games and hopefully I can perform in those games and show what I’m about.”
Goals like the one he scored at Gigg Lane will certainly do him no harm in impressing the staff.
Lewis picked the ball up on the left-hand side before showing great skill to beat a few men to make his way into the box where he then opened up his body to find the far corner.
The goal wasn’t too dissimilar to the one which got North End going on the day, courtesy of Kian Taylor.
Lewis laughed: “It was out of nowhere really, wasn’t it?
“He’s got the ball and gone on a little solo run. I don’t expect anything less to be honest, but it was a good finish as well.
“I took a leaf out of his book. I just thought, ‘Why not just got for it?’ and yeah, luckily it went in.”
It was a young North End side fielded on the day by Ryan Lowe, featuring young professionals and scholars.
Many of those who featured have been with the first team since the return for pre-season and Lewis feels everyone has equipped themselves well.
“They’ve come up and they’ve performed,” he said. “Obviously a couple of the boys went to Spain and some of the boys here didn’t go to Spain, but credit to them.
“Today we’ve come together and played well, got a 3-0 win so credit to the young lads.”