SIMON GRAYSON is one of the most relaxed managers around, but the fresh challenge of a first full season at Huddersfield Town has brought even him some gold-medal excitement.

A promotion winner just three months after taking the job, the 42-year-old has overseen a rapid re-shaping of the John Smith’s Stadium squad and, after kicking off with Monday’s Capital One Cup clash at Preston, he’s now fully focused on the business that really matters – the npower Championship.

Town have to wait just 48 more hours to do battle with Cardiff City in the Welsh capital and Grayson – who paid tribute to the work done by previous manager Lee Clark and his staff in the immediate aftermath of the Wembley play-off success against Sheffield United – believes the players, staff and supporters have much to look forward to.

“It’s our first season back in the Championship for 11 years so if you can’t get excited about that, I don’t know what is going to get you excited,” said Grayson, whose CV includes promotions with both Blackpool and Leeds.

“There’s been a buzz among the players and a buzz around the town and the area since we went up and Friday is the day when everyone will realise ‘this is now, this is the Championship’.

“We are where we are and we’ve worked hard to achieve it – so let’s enjoy it.”

Seven new signings have been added to the mix since Alex Smithies penalty shoot-out heroics and that 8-7 passport to promotion – Paul Dixon, Adam Clayton, Oliver Norwood, Joel Lynch, Sean Scannell, Keith Southern and Anthony Gerrard – and Grayson believes they can help establish Town as a force in 2012-13.