Clarke completes return from injury
Club Captain Peter Clarke makes his first start in well over three months in the only change to Town’s starting XI for today’s Yorkshire derby at home to Sheffield Wednesday.
Clarke comes in for his first start since picking up his knee injury in the home clash with Birmingham City on 9 November. He replaces Joel Lynch, who has failed to recover after a groin injury forced him off at St. Andrew’s last weekend.
Otherwise the Terriers are unchanged from the side that came away from the Midlands with victory last weekend, with it looking like a continuation of the 3-5-2 starting formation from Mark Robins.
Ever-present goalkeeper Alex Smithies is expected to be protected by a back three of Anthony Gerrard, Peter Clarke and Tommy Smith; the latter made his League debut during the corresponding fixture at Hillsborough earlier this season.
The Blue & White Foundation’s January Player of the Month Paul Dixon will start at left wing back with leading assist maker Adam Hammill on the right.
In the centre of midfield Oliver Norwood and Jonathan Hogg team with Adam Clayton, who was a goalscorer when Town beat the Owls back in November.
Nahki Wells leads the line again alongside Danny Ward, who reaches a century of League appearances for Huddersfield Town this afternoon.
With Clarke promoted to the starting line-up, his place among the substitutes is taken by Murray Wallace.
Town’s team vs. Sheffield Wednesday:
1. Alex Smithies
3. Paul Dixon
4. Oliver Norwood
5. Peter Clarke (c)
6. Jonathan Hogg
8. Adam Clayton
11. Danny Ward
12. Adam Hammill
21. Nahki Wells
27. Tommy Smith
39. Anthony Gerrard
Substitutes:
Ian Bennett, Calum Woods, Sean Scannell, Murray Wallace, Keith Southern, Martin Paterson, Joe Lolley
