Don't write off Nottingham Forest loannee says Huddersfield Town boss

Dec 14 2010 by Dougie Thomson, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

LEE CLARK doesn’t just believe the best is yet to come from on-loan Town striker Joe Garner – he knows it.

The Galpharm manager is a long-time fan of the man he brought in from Nottingham Forest in the close-season.

And while the 22-year-old former Blackburn trainee is still chasing his first Town goal, Clark says his contribution has still been valuable this season.

Garner was paired with top scorer Jordan Rhodes, who notched his 12th goal of the season as League I leaders Brighton were beaten 2-1 on Saturday.

And the boss explained: “Joe’s work ethic, his application and the way he fights for possession allowed Jordan to concentrate on the other side of the game.

“It was easier for Jordan to get in for crosses and other opportunities because Joe was doing the dirty work for him.

“Joe is making a big contribution – look back to our wins against Orient, Sheffield Wednesday and MK Dons.

“But I know strikers have to score, and I desperately want Joe to get a goal, because when he gets the first, he’ll be up and running.

“I’ve monitored him for a long time, from when he was emerging at Blackburn, then through his time at Carlisle and Forest, and I know there’s so much more to come.”

Garner, who has made 17 Town appearances so far, hopes for an 11th start in tonight’s Johnstone’s Paint Trophy area semi-final at Tranmere.

Victory would set up a Northern final meeting against his old club Carlisle, although both legs would take place after his initial loan expires on January 3.

Whether his Galpharm stint is extended remains to be seen, but the Lancashire-based player still has six games in which to add to his 29-goal career tally.