Huddersfield V Carlisle

Lee Clark heads into a 10th managerial meeting with Carlisle this evening as Town look to reclaim second spot in the league one table.

The Terriers have a few selection headaches ahead of the game with Smithies, Johnson and Calum Woods all unavailable through injury and the news that Alex Bruce has been recalled by Leeds United.

Town are however boosted by the return of skipper Peter Clarke after he served a one match ban against Chesterfield.

Danny Ward could also feature if he recovers from a rumoured ankle injury in time for the game otherwise Donal McDermott will continue on the flank.

Carlisle were dealt a major injury blow ahead of the game with striker Rory Loy breaking his leg on Boxing Day against Preston, he is now recovering in Royal Preston Hospital following successful surgery on Tuesday night.

Midfielder Liam Noble, on loan from Sunderland, replaced Loy at Preston, but striker Paddy Madden could come into contention with manager Greg Abbott to decide whether to retain Francois Zoko up front alongside Lee Miller.

Frank Simek is expected to continue at right-back as he keeps out Bristol City loanee Christian Ribeiro at right-back.

Carlisle otherwise have no other concerns and head to the Galpharm with aspirations of ending the year in the top six themselves.

We should certainly be in for a cracker.

"We were all aware of the importance of beating Chesterfield having not won in our previous three games, and the result gave us a big lift.

"Now we aim to carry that on against Carlisle, and all our focus is on making sure we`re right on our game, because we`ll have to be."

"Carlisle have some good players, the side has been together for a while now, they are always well organised and they work hard for each other."

Peter Clarke returns from suspension.

Alex Smithies (knee) & Damien Johnson (hamstring) & Calum Woods (ankle) all miss the game.

Danny Ward (ankle) faces a race against time to be fit.

Alex Bruce has been recalled by Leeds and is unavailable.

Jamie McCombe is still on loan at Preston

Liam Ridehalgh has been recalled from his spell at Swindon and could feature

20 goals in 20 games - Town's match winner against Chesterfield - I can't pick anyone else as the Key Player at the moment!

Rory Loy - Sadly missing with a broken leg - Get well soon.

Liam Noble pressing for a start as is Paddy Madden.

Loanee Christian Ribeiro hoping for a start in his penultimate game.

Carlisle's dangerman up-front and one Town know only too well!

"At the moment we are feeling like a really tight football club, which is really important if we want to go anywhere.

"Take the last two minutes out of it and we more than competed against a big football club. We played the better football and if either side deserved to win, it was us."

Michael Naylor, from South Yorkshire, referees tonight`s game. It his first involving Town since Hartlepool won 1-0 at the Galpharm on Boxing Day last year. Naylor is in his fifth season on the football league list. Holme Valley-based Jason Tyas is fourth official.

Huddersfield 2 - 1 Carlisle.

Mon 2 Jan - Notts County (A) 15:00

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