Chris Powell believes Tuesday’s Capital One Cup first-round clash with Notts County could provide valuable game time for returning Huddersfield Town strikers James Vaughan and Ishmael Miller.
Both have suffered injuries during pre-season, and the boss has suggested neither will start tomorrow’s Championship opener at Hull City.
Vaughan, plagued by fitness issues during his time at Town, figured in only two of their six friendlies and Miller just one.
“The good news is that the pair of them are on the way back,” said Powell, who has Nahki Wells and Jordy Hiwula as rival frontline options.
“But they haven’t got as much pre-season work in the bank as most of the other players, so they are still playing catch-up.
“They are working hard on the training pitch and we are assessing them day by day, and we will have a good look at them before the Hull game.
“But it could be that the Capital One Cup is the right time to give them some vital minutes on the pitch.”
Vaughan scored seven times in 22 starts and six substitute appearances last season.
Miller arrived from Blackpool during the winter transfer window and netted three goals in 19 outings (nine starts).
The Notts clash is the first of three home games in a row for Town.
Blackburn Rovers visit in the Championship on Saturday and Brighton and Hove Albion the following Tuesday.
Relegated Notts start their League II campaign at Stevenage today.
Manager Ricardo Moniz made his 18th close-season signing this week in Dutch defender Civard Sprockel.
The 32-year-old has played for Feyenoord, Excelsior and Vitesse Arnhem.
Notts’ other signings include former Town striker Jon Stead.
