Two changes to starting XI
Huddersfield Town Caretaker Manager Mark Lillis has made two changes to his starting line-up for today’s npower Championship game at home to Cardiff City.
With Club Captain Peter Clarke unavailable after suffering a concussion at Derby County last weekend, Joel Lynch returns to the defence after missing the last six games following a hamstring injury picked up at Leicester City on New Year’s Day.
As Lillis revealed on Friday, the Captain’s armband will be worn for the first time today by Huddersfield-born ‘keeper Alex Smithies – the only player to start every Town game so far this season.
The second change comes in attack, where Sean Scannell makes his first start under the stewardship of Lillis at the expense of the injured Lee Novak.
The Terriers will line up in their usual shape today, with goalkeeper Smithies behind a back four of right back Jack Hunt, Joel Lynch, former Bluebird Anthony Gerrard and Calum Woods, who is making the 150th League start of his career this afternoon.
Oliver Norwood plays at the base of Town’s midfield despite missing Northern Ireland’s midweek friendly with a bruised foot behind Scott Arfield and Neil Danns, with Adam Clayton in a more advanced role. Up front Sean Scannell is expected to play just off main striker James Vaughan, who is fine after his bang to the head at Pride Park a week ago.
Midfielders Chris Atkinson and Matt Crooks appear on the bench today, with Oscar Gobern dropping out of the match day 18.
Town’s team vs. Cardiff City:
1. Alex Smithies (c)
2. Calum Woods
4. Oliver Norwood
6. Anthony Gerrard
7. Sean Scannell
8. Adam Clayton
16. Scott Arfield
18. James Vaughan
20. Neil Danns
32. Jack Hunt
33. Joel Lynch
Substitutes: Ian Bennett, Paul Dixon, Murray Wallace, Alan Lee, Chris Atkinson, Matt Crooks, Jordan Sinnott
