WITH Stan Ternent operating with a skeleton squad this could be a very big season for a number of the club's young players.

At the weekend they made a disappointing start to their competitive season with a 1-0 defeat by Preston North End but a number of the players look certain to have the chance to get that out of their system when the reserves take on Huddersfield at Turf Moor tomorrow night.

"It is a great chance for the lads because the first team squad is a bit light and there are a few injuries," said youth team coach Terry Pashley.

"The second and third years will be up to it and it is a big chance for them to get a few games under their belt at that level.

"They can make an impression and we will have a better idea of where they are up to but it is probably too soon to be throwing the first years in there."

But the youngsters, who have been doing well during the pre-season programme, have been left in no doubt that they will have to step up on what they produced on Saturday morning.

"We have had a chat about and they know I was not happy," said Pashley. "In fact it was a poor game all said, especially when you consider that ourselves and North End should be among the best in the Youth Alliance.

"We were poor in the first half and the good thing is that we did improve after the break. But we gave away a poor goal because of a defensive mix-up and we know we can play a lot better.

"I don't know whether you can put it down to the fact that it was the first game of the season and they were maybe a bit nervous but I was surprised.

"We have had a couple of the young lads playing for the reserves in pre-season, the likes of Daniel Pitam and Gary Carter, and they have been good. As Saturday's match went on they improved so we will hope that continues."

The one player who came out of the game the best was the promising midfielder Joel Pilkington, a player likely to figure heavily at reserve team level this season.

"He was the shining light and we managed to create a few half chances with some crosses from Matty O'Neill but in truth we never looked like scoring," Pashley confessed.

The young Clarets next clash is at Bury at the weekend and then they will be involved in Lancashire Cup action. "We are in a group with Preston, Blackpool and Wigan and so that will give us the chance to get revenge against Preston," said Pashley.