Huddersfield Town

The game signals a quick return to action for the Terriers after the pre-season defeat at Chesterfield on Saturday as the build-up to the 2013/14 Championship season continues. 

Mark explained:

“The players weren’t ready for longer game time at Chesterfield on Saturday after a hard week and the travel back from Spain the day before. I thought the work we put in was ok in terms of the stage we’re at and the fact we trained in the morning. 

“Now it’s time to step it up. We worked on one or two things this morning and we’re back out this afternoon before the game tomorrow.

“We need to try and get the players up to playing a full 90 minutes as quickly as we can do, so some will play as much time as possible on Tuesday at York and the others will play the same at Guiseley on Wednesday; perhaps around 70-75 minutes.”

As well as building up the players’ fitness, Mark also wants the team to showcase its talent on the ball against the Minstermen:

“At this stage of the season we want to try things. If it doesn’t come off, we don’t lose anything apart from a bit of pride. Now is the time to learn and to try new things out. 

“We’ll stick to a similar plan as Saturday in terms of what we do and we’ll be looking for a more fluid passing performance. I want the players to free the shackles and try things, which might show me something I haven’t seen previously. I want the players to express themselves.

“Although we are constantly assessing the make-up of the squad we have a good group of attacking players with goal threats all over the pitch. We’re just looking to fine-tune what we do during the possession transitions and turnovers in play in terms of how we react and respond. 

“York City is another good game. They will be strong and physical and we have to be ready for that challenge. It is great practise for us to play under a bit of pressure; that’s when you learn about what you are capable of as a player. 

“We have a good bunch of players and they’ve had a really good go in the first two weeks of pre-season. I’m pretty happy with where we are at the moment.”

Full back Calum Woods picked up a knock to his collarbone during the second-half of this weekend’s friendly at the Proact Stadium and Mark provided us with an update of his condition, as well as several other members of the squad.

“Calum has an appointment for a scan today, whereas we’re hopeful Jon Stead will be back in training during the next few days. 

“Oscar Gobern is about ten days away from re-joining contact training due to a knock to his jaw, but is doing all the other work in terms of fitness. 

“On a brighter note Anthony Gerrard has progressed and joined in the warm-up this morning. He stayed behind when we went to Spain to concentrate on his fitness and I’ll be absolutely delighted to get him back and firing; he’s worked hard. 

“Peter Clarke is in full training after a knee operation early in the closed season. We’ll talk to him and the physio after today’s double session and then make a decision, but we’re hoping he can play some part at York.”