Key takeaways from Huddersfield Town's first pre-season friendly

It's best not to read too much into friendlies, but the first chance to see a Lee Grant side in action did shed some light on a few things

There are still some gaps to be filled in the Huddersfield Town squad

Lee Grant told We Are Terriers after the game that the inclusion of several academy players in the first-team section — the opening two 30-minute periods — suggests there are still areas the club may look to strengthen.

Joe Low missed out with a minor knock (why risk it for the sake of a run-around at Emley), while Murray Wallace and Radinio Balker continue to be managed after finishing last season with injuries. Hopefully, both should be available before the start of the season. Bojan Radulovic was also absent, as was Rhys Healey.

Even if we consider those players to have been available, it seems doubtful that Town will be banking too much on Radulovic playing a part after sending him out on loan in the second half of last season. Healey and Balker, meanwhile, have both spent most of their time at the club sidelined with injuries.

As such, we can probably infer that a centre-back and centre-forward are likely to be on the priority list. Town’s interest in Leyton Orient’s Ethan Galbraith suggests they are also in the market for another new midfielder, a supposition strengthened by Freddie Ladapo featuring in the second 30-minute period as a number 10. Elsewhere, Owen Goodman looks set to arrive on loan from Crystal Palace to strengthen the options at goalkeeper.

Grant and the club are pleased with the recruitment so far, as well as the fact that they have been able to get so much done so early — but there is still work to be done before the season gets underway.