Luke Daley featured in Town’s latest B Team game against Derby
- Luke Daley makes his comeback after two-month layoff
- Enjoyed a different kind of test against Derby County with Town B
- Young Terrier enjoying his development across Town’s Academy
Huddersfield Town Under-19 full back Luke Daley is happy to be back on the field and continuing his development after a two-month injury layoff. As he continues to return, he was given the tough challenge of playing out of position for Town’s B Team against Derby County on Tuesday.
The Young Terrier joined the club’s Academy ahead of the 2019/20 season, showing his qualities flying up and down the wing as a modern full back as he developed his game in Jon Worthington’s Under-17s side.
And since the new season began, Daley has earned the opportunity to feature for the Under-19s, and make his first start for the B Team, but not without setback.
In September, Daley picked up an injury that has kept him out of action until very recently but has stepped up his recovery over the last couple of weeks with appearances for the Under-17s, before playing the full 90 minutes against Derby County yesterday.
“My recovery has been a challenge, coming back from injury is something that I’ve not faced before in my career,” he said.
“It’s always hard when you’ve never experienced something like that, but I’ve come back stronger and I think I’ve come back better.”
Daley was also given an extra challenge when the Young Terriers faced the Rams, as he was played out of position, testing his defensive capabilities on the left-hand side of a centre back partnership.
And according to the young defender it was a good test for himself.
“It (playing at centre back) was a challenge, it’s a position I’m not too familiar with, but it was a good experience for me against a tough side.
“Towards the end I swapped with Ben Jackson and went back in to my more natural left back position, but overall I think I coped well in the game.”
These two challenges have just been the latest steps in Daley’s development, something he feels has gone extremely well since signing for the Terriers, and something he hopes continues long into the future.
“I’ve developed massively from when I first started. I’ve progressed and grown in terms of physicality, awareness and skill over the last year, and also learnt a lot from the coaches - it’s been good and hopefully it can continue.
“I’ve had good experience at all levels across the Academy, and when I’m in with the B Team the older players help me develop my game.
“Over the coming season I’m aiming to continue my development and continue playing games as part of the B Team. Hopefully I can earn the chance to train with Carlos and the First Team too when I’m ready, and then push on from there.”
You can follow the progress of Luke and his teammates by following Town’s Academy on Twitter; @htafcacademy.