Huddersfield Town digest: Transfer targets and injuries as two face late fitness tests
Brodie Spencer is set for a scan after going off injured against Wycombe, while Josh Koroma and Michal Helik will face late fitness tests for the trip to Shrewsbury...if it's still on
What’s been said
— Michael Duff, on whether any signings are imminent, on Thursday afternoon:
“We’ve got targets, there’s lots of conversations going on, and for many reasons, until it’s announced and until it’s signed, it’s not my position. It’s not fair on the player, it’s not fair on the clubs involved, because for whatever reason things [can] fall through.
“We’ve got targets, I say it all the time. Recent history tells you, we’ve had players who have passed medicals, and if we announce it beforehand, it’s not right for any party for that to come out. So it’s just respect as much as anything else.
“We’ve got targets, we’re working hard, and hopefully it won’t be the last day of the window, but you never know.”
— Michael Duff, on whether Town’s injury list will prompt them to look at positions beyond centre-forward in the January transfer window:
“No, I don’t think so. Centre-half wise we’ve got enough cover. Mickel [Miller] was a slightly different one but we’ve already covered that case [by signing Ruben Roosken].
“The window is a planned strategy now so I don’t think think we’ll be being too reactive unless something really bad happens that we’ve not foreseen. It’s more trying to stick to the plan.”
— Shrewsbury Town, via X, about Saturday afternoon’s fixture:
“We are closely monitoring the Croud Meadow pitch ahead of this weekend's clash with @htafc. The covers have been on since Tuesday morning and preparations are continuing as normal. Further updates will be provided when possible.”
Coming up next
Shrewsbury Town sit third from bottom with just four wins in their 24 league games to date — though the Terriers still need to beware, as Birmingham can attest having lost in Shropshire in November.
The Shrews have started to look a bit harder to beat since Gareth Ainsworth arrived as manager in November, with over half their points this season coming in their past nine games.
Town ran out 1-0 winners in the reverse fixture back in August, with Callum Marshall bagging the only goal of the game.
Huddersfield Town injuries and absences
Ruben Roosken was suspended against Wycombe for his straight red card offence against Rotherham, and still has another two games to serve.
Michal Helik had made the trip to face Wycombe but was ruled out due to illness. The centre-back has not trained since then but should be back involved on Friday, after which a decision will be made on his availability for Saturday.
That meant Radinio Balker was drafted into the squad as a late addition to the matchday squad. Balker appeared from the bench for his first competitive outing of the season after fracturing his ankle in pre-season.
Brodie Spencer (knee) and Josh Koroma (groin) both had to be taken off in the second half at Adams Park. Spencer is having a scan to assess the damage and looks unlikely to play against Shrewsbury, but Michael Duff hopes it is “nothing too sinister”.
Koroma’s issue is thought to be fatigue-related and the club will make a late call on his availability to face Shrewsbury.
Nigel Lonwijk is set for 6-8 weeks out with a hamstring injury, while David Kasumu is expected to be out for most of January with a similar issue.
Lee Nicholls and Lasse Sorensen are both still on the comeback trail after having setbacks with their elbow and hamstring issues last month.
Tom Iorpenda has been kept out of action with a back issue.
Rhys Healey has no firm return date on his recovery from a calf injury, Mickel Miller is sidelined until spring with a knee injury and Danny Ward is out for the season with a knee injury.
Predicted line-up to face Shrewsbury
3-4-1-2: Jacob Chapman; Matty Pearson, Michal Helik, Tom Lees; Ollie Turton, Joe Hodge, Herbie Kane, Josh Koroma; Ben Wiles; Callum Marshall, Bojan Radulovic
Substitutes: Chris Maxwell, Radinio Balker, Josh Ruffels, Antony Evans, Jonathan Hogg, Conor Falls, Freddie Ladapo.
Huddersfield Town Women
Town Women are set to host table-topping Chorley in Sunday’s 2pm kick-off.
A victory for Glen’s Preston side could move them within one point of the top spot with a game still in hand.
Town have meanwhile announced the signing of striker Katie Astle from divisional rivals York City this week. The 23 year old has scored 14 goals in 14 games for struggling York so far this campaign and is available to face Chorley.
