Team News From The Huddersfield Camp

Last updated : 19 January 2011 By Thetashkentterror

Kevin Kilbane
Town's Hull City-loanee Kevin Kilbane spoke to the Daily Examiner ahead of his side's Johnstone's Paint Trophy Northern Area Final first leg match between Carlisle and the Terriers at Brunton Park this evening, Kilbane suggesting that Huddersfield can play better than they have been doing :


"I'm really pleased with the way things are going, because I came here to play games and be successful, and so far it's working out that way. We can certainly play better than we have been doing - I see day-to-day on the training ground that there is a lot more to come from this squad.

"It almost seems like we have to have a setback before we start to play, and the issue of slow starts is something we have to address. But there is a lot of character and spirit in this squad, and sometimes you have to grind out wins. There are plenty of players here who can score goals. It's a good squad, and while I feel fit and strong and believe I have a little bit to offer, I also know I have to fight for my place each week.

"When I first talked to Lee Clark about coming here, his desire to get the deal done quickly meant a lot to me. I knew the games were coming thick and fast, and I knew about the expectation levels at Huddersfield, but that attracted me.

"I want to be playing games and to be in a situation where there is pressure to perform, and among the management and squad there is a huge desire to be successful. We're winning games and we're up to second in the table, but we know there is a huge amount of hard work ahead, starting with a very tough match up at Carlisle, and we're ready.

"It would be fantastic for everyone concerned with Huddersfield Town to get to Wembley. We know it's going to be tough in both legs. I made my Town debut in the 2-2 draw at Carlisle on New Year's Day and they gave us a real game. But we've got fighting spirit and character in this squad, we're unbeaten this year and have won four in a row, and we want to keep that momentum going.

"It won't be settled tonight, but we want to put ourselves in as good a position as possible for the second leg. And the incentive of a trip to Wembley is huge. It was a big consideration in coming here, because I've never played there and I would love to change that.

"I remember thinking about the chance of getting to the final of this competition in my Preston days, and now we're within two matches of doing it, it's not an opportunity we'll pass up without a real fight. I came to this club to have some success, and while winning promotion is paramount, the Johnstone's Paint Trophy is a big thing for us as well."






In team news for Huddersfield this evening, they will definitely be without Damien Johnson and Gary Naysmith. Influential midfielder, and Plymouth season-long loanee Johnson, out after suffering cruciate ligament damage in his knee in early December which will see him sidelined for the rest of the campaign, while left-back Gary Naysmith is still absent with a long-term toe problem.

Centre-half Leigh Franks is also missing, with the 19-year old having returned recently from a six-month loan spell at League Two Oxford United suffering from a slight hamstring injury. While another loanee defender with hamstring trouble is left-sided Hungarian international Tamas Kadar, 20, who had to be substituted, with Liam Ridehalgh coming on in his place, after 40 minutes of Town's 4-2 win at Walsall on Saturday.





The referee for tonight's match is Eddie Ilderton from Shiremoor, Newcastle and he will be assisted down the lines by Peter Bankes from Bootle and Darren Bond from Wigan. Meanwhile the fourth official is Andy Haines from Sunderland.