HUDDERSFIELD Town have extended Simon Church’s loan until December 31.
It’s a big boost for Simon Grayson ahead of what he admits may be a “season-defining” run of Championship games, starting at Charlton tomorrow.
The Reading and Wales striker will make his third Town appearance at The Valley, where Grayson’s eighth-placed side aim to bounce back from their 2-1 home defeat by Brighton.
The original deal for Church, who scored Town’s goal last Saturday, ran until December 8, with the extension running to the January transfer window, when Grayson could try to land the 23-year-old frontman on a permanent basis.
“It’s good news ahead of a busy and important period,” said Grayson, who was giving nothing away on the chances of injured trio Jermaine Beckford, James Vaughan and Sean Scannell playing at Charlton, who are 14th.
“You look at the run of games – Charlton will be tough, then on Tuesday we go to Middlesbrough, who are flying, then it’s a big local derby against Leeds (a week tomorrow).
“After that we have Bolton at home and Hull and Crystal Palace away, then it’s into the Christmas period.
“It could be a defining spell for a lot of sides and if we can be somewhere in and around where we are now come January, we will assess the situation and see what can be done regarding the squad.”
Town will travel South this morning and make their final preparations at West Ham’s training ground.
“We always analyse our opponents’ last four games,” added Grayson, whose side were promoted alongside Chris Powell’s Addicks last season.
“Charlton got thumped 4-1 at home by Middlesbrough, but then had a remarkable 5-4 home win against Cardiff, went to Bristol City and won 2-0 and last week beat Burnley 1-0 at Turf Moor.
“That shows the character they have, and in my eyes, they were easily the best team in League I last season.”
