SIMON GRAYSON reckons Gary Roberts will be pivotal to Huddersfield Town’s League I promotion push.
The livewire winger is finally back to full fitness after hernia surgery, and the fourth-placed Galpharm side are reaping the rewards.
And that’s a big bonus for the boss, who believes Roberts, who won the penalty which sealed Saturday’s 1-0 home win over leaders Charlton, and his fellow wideman Danny Ward are also making a vital contribution to Town’s drive for clean sheets.
“The likes of Gary and Danny can do the creative side of the game without any problem,” said Grayson, whose side are next in action at Carlisle on Saturday.
“But I have also asked them to work harder and tuck in when required and they have been doing that.”
After being used from the bench, Roberts has started Town’s last three matches, and Grayson added of the 28-year-old former Ipswich man: “Gary’s getting fitter all the time.
“He was struggling a little with his groin a few games ago, but he’s getting sharper with each game and worked really hard against Charlton.”
Town will be running a check on sixth-placed Carlisle when they visit MK Dons tonight.
The play-off chasing Cumbrians can close the gap on fifth-placed MK to six points with a game in hand.
Bournemouth chairman Eddie Mitchell has insisted the departure of manager Lee Bradbury was “best for the club”.
The Cherries, who host Town on Easter Monday, April 9 after facing them in last season’s play-off semi-finals, slipped to 13th as a result of Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at Bournemouth.
“Lee and I spent a considerable time talking and we couldn’t conclude together,” said Mitchell, who refused to confirm whether youth team manager Paul Groves and head of youth Shaun Brooks would remain in control beyond tonight’s match at seventh-placed Stevenage.
