SIMON GRAYSON emerged from crunch talks with his Huddersfield Town squad to proclaim: “Our promotion bid is very much alive.”

Three defeats in the last four League I matches have left supporters sweating over the club’s chances of reaching the Championship.

But defiant Grayson, a League I promotion winner with both Blackpool and Leeds, today insisted: “That’s where the chairman wants to be and that’s where I intend to take this club.

“We all know recent results have not been good enough, but I believe we have the players to get us there and we are still in a decent position in the table.”

After bouncing back from their 2-1 setback at Carlisle to win 3-1 at Leyton Orient, Town have suffered successive 2-0 losses at home to Sheffield Wednesday and at Bournemouth.

They remain fourth and still in need of four points to cement a play-off spot for the third season in succession.

“Obviously we would all rather go up automatically, but there’s another promotion place available via the play-offs, and we will be going for it,” continued Grayson.

“We have quality and experience in this squad, but we need the players to communicate more out on the pitch.