Robins makes two changes to starting XI
Huddersfield Town Manager Mark Robins has made two changes to his starting XI for tonight’s npower Championship game at home to Middlesbrough; 7.45pm kick-off.
With top scorer James Vaughan serving the first game of a two match suspension after picking up his 10th yellow card of the season at Brighton on Saturday, Lee Novak returns to the line-up for his first start in three games.
Elsewhere Sean Scannell misses out with a hamstring injury, so Oliver Norwood makes his first appearance in four games.
Centre back Anthony Gerrard does play despite concerns over his niggling Achilles problem.
Town’s side is expected to start in a 4-2-3-1 formation tonight, with Alex Smithies in goal on his 23rd birthday behind a back four of Paul Dixon, Anthony Gerrard, Captain Peter Clarke and Jack Hunt. Oliver Norwood will join Oscar Gobern at the base of midfield with Neil Danns, Adam Clayton and Theo Robinson playing just off Lee Novak in attack.
Danny Ward makes a welcome return to the substitutes’ bench this evening; he has been out since the draw at Crystal Palace in late December 2012 due to a broken metatarsal.
Town’s team vs. Middlesbrough:
1. Alex Smithies
3. Paul Dixon
4. Oliver Norwood
5. Peter Clarke (c)
6. Anthony Gerrard
8. Adam Clayton
9. Lee Novak
10. Oscar Gobern
17. Theo Robinson
20. Neil Danns
32. Jack Hunt
Substitutes: Ian Bennett, Danny Ward, Murray Wallace, Scott Arfield, Alan Lee, Chris Atkinson, Joel Lynch
