Duane Holmes is determined to use an eye-catching development team display as a launchpad to reclaim a first-team place at Huddersfield Town.
The American-born midfielder put away two penalties in the Under 21 Premier League Cup quarter-final win over Charlton Athletic.
Holmes equalised from the spot during the first half, then scored the opener in Town’s 5-4 shoot-out win as the tie finished 1-1 after extra time.
Town, coached by Frankie Bunn, are through to the last four of this competition for the first time, with the draw yet to be made.
Holmes is looking forward to trying to help his club make the final, but is also eager for a further taste of Championship action.
Watch Regan Booty score the decisive penalty for the u21s
He has been in the matchday 16 for two-thirds of head coach David Wagner’s 15 games in charge, starting twice and coming off the bench three times.
But the 21-year-old faces stiff competition, especially after the transfer window arrivals of Karim Matmour and Elvis Manu.
“I need to use every chance I can to impress the head coach,” said Holmes, who has made four Town starts and 22 appearances in all.
“That means every training session, every development match and every time I am involved at first-team level.
“I have been involved recently, which is great, but I have to build on those appearances.”
Holmes, who scored his first senior goal in last month’s 5-0 home Championship win over Charlton Athletic, says playing the same 4-2-3-1 formation at both development and first-team level is helpful.
“To be fair, Frankie Bunn already had us playing in a very similar style to the one the head coach favours,” he explained.
“When you get used to the system in the Under 21s, it really helps when you step up to the first team.
“I have played a few different roles within midfield as well, so that is a big bonus.”
