Huddersfield Town boss Chris Powell insists they will have an attacking mindset at Rotherham on Boxing Day – whether he picks two strikers or one.

Powell came in for criticism from fans for fielding loan man Grant Holt as a solitary striker for the home clash with Birmingham, when they suffered a fifth defeat in seven.

He denies it was a defensive selection, though, and explained why he believes Town can flourish in either a 4-4-2 or 4-3-3 formation.

“I have always been an attacking manager and we will continue to be an attacking side because I believe it’s the best way to win matches,” said Powell, who has not ruled out Joel Lynch from a return at the New York Stadium on Friday.

“My outlook will not change in the respect that I want us to go forward and I want us to win games, whether that’s with two out-and-out strikers or with one supported by two out-and-out wingers who have both scored goals.

“We always have Jacob Butterfield as an advanced midfielder, too, so we have players out there who can create chances and score goals – and that won’t change.”

Powell says Town were victims of “the ultimate smash and grab” when Birmingham won 1-0, but doesn’t feel the result came about because of Town’s 4-3-3 formation.

“We played Grant Holt up front against Blackpool and scored four, and when we did it again at Wolves we scored three,” he said.

“I don’t see it as playing one up front, I see it as three.

“When we have the ball it’s a minimum of three up front and when it works it’s great. When it doesn’t the criticism comes with the territory – and we put in a pretty poor performance against Birmingham.

“It’s all about keeping a balance in the side.

“We have three very good midfielders who dovetail and work really well together (Butterfield, Conor Coady and Jonathan Hogg), and then we’ve got two wide players who are on top of their game in Harry Bunn and Sean Scannell.

“That’s five players, so if you go two up top, it leaves you with three at the back and your wingers playing as wing-backs. Our wingers are better as out-and-out wingmen, so you have to look at what’s best in each game – but I will always be attacking.”

Murray Wallace is available again after suspension but goalkeeper Joe Murphy will be out for another two to three weeks, meaning young Lloyd Allinson will continue on the bench.