Three changes to starting XI
Huddersfield Town Manager Simon Grayson has made three changes to his starting XI for this evening’s 5.20pm kick-off at Crystal Palace.
It’s a big evening for former Palace man Sean Scannell – he returns to the Town side for his first start in seven games at the ground where he spent nine years before moving to West Yorkshire in the summer; he replaces Danny Ward.
Elsewhere Jermaine Beckford makes his first start in seven games, completing his recovery from a hamstring injury after coming off the bench in last weekend’s defeat at Hull City. The striker replaces Lee Novak in the line-up, who misses out entirely today due to an ankle injury.
The final change comes in defence, where Club Captain Peter Clarke is replaced by full back Calum Woods.
Town look set to revert to a 4-4-2 formation at Selhurst Park, with goalkeeper Alex Smithies – now Town’s only ever-present – protected by a back four of Calum Woods, Joel Lynch, Anthony Gerrard and Jack Hunt. Keith Southern skippers the side on the 350th League appearance of his career alongside Oliver Norwood in central midfield with Sean Scannell on the left wing and Adam Clayton on the right of midfield, leaving Jermaine Beckford to partner former Crystal Palace loanee James Vaughan in attack.
Town’s team vs. Crystal Palace:
1. Alex Smithies
2. Calum Woods
4. Oliver Norwood
6. Anthony Gerrard
7. Sean Scannell
8. Adam Clayton
18. James Vaughan
21. Jermaine Beckford
24. Keith Southern (c)
32. Jack Hunt
33. Joel Lynch
Substitutes: Ian Bennett, Paul Dixon, Peter Clarke, Danny Ward, Adam Hammill, Chris Atkinson, Simon Church
