Fulham v Huddersfield Town: Three key battles which could decide this weekend's clash at Craven Cottage

Huddersfield Town travel to resurgent Fulham this weekend looking to make an immediate response to their first defeat in eight league games after a 3-2 reverse at Derby County.

The Terriers fell to goals from Jordon Ibe, Johnny Russell and Simon Dawkins as the unbeaten run came to an abrupt halt at the iPro Stadium, but manager Chris Powell is determined to prove it was little more than a blip which caused the setback.

Town face a Fulham side who, despite stringing together 15 points from a possible 24, have drawn both of their last two league games against struggling sides in Wigan Athletic and Blackpool.

Here are the three battles which could decide the meeting between the two teams at Craven Cottage as Town look to finish the latest segment of the season on a high ahead of the international break.

WATCH: Huddersfield Town writer Doug Thomson previews the weekend trip to Fulham

Dan Burn v Grant Holt

The towering central defender has been one of the Cottagers' stand-out players so far this season and recently rescued a point for his side in the 3-3 draw at Rotherham United.

Good in the air as well as being able to play out from the back, the 22-year-old is a composed performer who is one of only a handful in the current first-team setup to have experienced Premier League football.

He will be sorely tested by Holt's strength and battle-hardened qualities at this level, however, and will have to be on his guard to deal with the striker's movement, which has been increasingly noticeable of late.

The Wigan Athletic loan frontman has tended to drift out to the left when Nahki Wells occupies central space but even if Town line up with just one forward on Saturday, Burn can be sure to have his hands full.

He will hope to win the early challenges against a striker who only tasted his first defeat with the Terriers on Tuesday and will be keen to get his and his side's game back on track.

Bryan Ruiz v Jacob Butterfield

A face-off between the two creative hubs of the side, with Ruiz coming into this encounter in high spirits after rescuing his side a point in the 2-2 midweek draw with Blackpool.

Ruiz represented Costa Rica at this summer's World Cup and so his quality is clear for all to see, but Town have a player of their own who has discovered good form in recent times and possesses a similar game-changing ability.

The Fulham man can often tend to fade into the periphery of games but his mercurial talent ensures that he must be watched at all times and his playmaking qualities mark him out as a definite key man for the Cottagers.

Butterfield has been the driving force from midfield areas for Town of late and the Terriers will rely on him to provide the craft and running to link with Holt and the two wingers.

With goals and assists added to his game all the time, the former Middlesbrough man is becoming a valuable asset to Powell but will have to be equally as diligent in his defensive duties against the hosts' talented midfield.

Hugo Rodallega v Mark Hudson

Ross McCormack is likely to return to the Cottagers' lineup this weekend but top scorer Rodallega is as much of a threat having dropped down from the Premier League.

Like Ruiz, he is still a player who possesses top-flight quality and has flourished under the guidance of Symons, with four of his five goals coming since he was appointed - including his initial caretaker basis.

He is the Cottagers' most lethal hitman but also one of their most dangerous when it comes to providing opportunities for team-mates, having claimed three assists so far.

Hudson seemed downbeat after the midweek defeat to Derby but can be buoyed by a first goal for the club and will hope his side can take the lessons learned into this weekend's game to eradicate a goals against column which is the third worst in the division.

The captain will need to be at his organisational best on Saturday in keeping the backline as rigid as possible against the interchanging nature of Fulham's frontline but it is a test he will relish.