Huddersfield Town boss Clark: Squad strength is key in JPT

Sep 1 2009 by Dougie Thomson, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

LEE CLARK is ready to rotate his squad for tonight’s Johnstone’s Paint Trophy first-round test against Rotherham.

But he insists the side he selects for the showdown with the League II pace-setters at the Don Valley Stadium (7.45) will be far from weakened.

“I’ve said consistently this season that I’m more than happy with the strength of my squad,” said Clark, who is aiming to pilot Town – fourth in League I – to their first win in this competition since 2004.

“I believe all the players here will have a role to play at some stage this season, and tonight’s tie is a chance to provide them with valuable game time without weakening the side.

“We haven’t had a reserve match yet this season (the scheduled first game of the season against Hartlepool last Wednesday was postponed because of the Newcastle Carling Cup clash).

“It’s important that they have a taste of competitive action to keep them sharp, and this tie provides the perfect chance.

“I’m a little limited because of the competition rules, which say six members of the starting XI must have played a specified amount of first-team football already this season.

“But I will take the chance to have a reshuffle, especially since this is our fourth successive midweek match ahead of another big test at MK Dons on Saturday.”

Clark confirmed that as well as Tom Clarke, who has had knee surgery, and wingman Gary Roberts, who completes a three-match ban, on-loan Manchester United midfielder Danny Drinkwater (groin) is definitely ruled out.

Meanwhile Theo Robinson, whose strike in Saturday’s 2-1 home win over Yeovil put him joint top of the club goal chart with six-goal Jordan Rhodes, faces a fitness test on an ankle knock.

The likes of strikers Lee Novak and Robbie Simpson, midfielder Jim Goodwin, who is fit again after knee surgery and made a first appearance of the season from the bench against Yeovil, defender Nathan Clarke and keeper Matt Glennon will all be hoping for calls.

Whoever gets the nod, Clark, who has used 20 different players in seven games so far this season, believes they will be in for a tough examination from Mark Robins’ in-form side, who are fresh from a 3-1 triumph at Macclesfield on Saturday.

Rotherham have won all three of their home games so far, including a 2-1 Carling Cup first-round success over Championship club Derby, and can boast four victories in five league outings.

Like Town at Newcastle, they gave Championship hosts, in their case West Brom, a fright before going down 4-3 in the second round of the Carling Cup.

That tie went to extra time, something that won’t happen tonight, when Steve Bratt (West Midlands) is the referee, since matches level at the end of 90 minutes go straight to penalties as sides bid to make Saturday’s second-round draw.

Clark is full of admiration for the job done by his Rotherham counterpart, former Manchester United striker Mark Robins, who took over as boss in 2007 after playing for the club, then becoming assistant manager to Alan Knill.