Huddersfield Town boss Mark Robins reckons tomorrow’s Capital One Cup derby against Bradford City provides the perfect chance for Town to bounce back from a disappointing opening-day Championship defeat at Nottingham Forest.
The boss is optimistic striker James Vaughan will recover from a knock to the ribs in time for the first-round showdown at home to last season’s beaten finalists, who began life in League I after promotion with a 2-2 draw at Bristol City.
Town, beaten 1-0 at the City Ground, resume their league campaign against Harry Redknapp’s QPR at the John Smith’s on Saturday.
But Robins says a first meeting with Bradford since the penalty shoot-out defeat on home soil in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy second round in October 2011 is very much the priority for his new-look squad.
The second-round draw is live on Sky Sports News at 1.30 on Thursday afternoon and Robins is desperate to ensure Town come through a tie which will be refereed by West Yorkshire whistler Mark Haywood and settled by extra time and then penalties if required.
“It’s a big game for us, and with it being a derby, a really big one for the fans,” he said.
“The bragging rights are up for grabs, so it could be a tasty one, and we will approach the match accordingly.”
While Vaughan finished the Forest game clutching his ribs, midfielder Oscar Gobern took a blow to a hip before being substituted, but the manager explained: “Knocks are part and parcel of football. James was more winded than anything.”
As well as forward Martin Paterson and midfielder Jonathan Hogg, who both made full debuts at Forest, fans could see new Spanish striker Cristian Lopez, who went on as a substitute at the City Ground, in competitive home action for the first time.
