Parkin is a big centre forward who played regularly for Stoke last season in their promotion campaign. He has been thrust into today's squad and with a striker shortage may well start alongside Mellor. Parkin played and scored in Stoke's midweek cup game.
The club also confirmed that Stephen Elliott is at Deepdale this morning to put pen to paper on a move from Wolves. The Republic of Ireland international will not feature today but will be ready for after the international break.
As part of the Elliott deal, Matt Hill was down in the Black Country to sign a contract which would see him move to Molineux.