Chris Powell says there’s no way Huddersfield Town will step off the gas as they prepare for Saturday’s lunchtime showdown with Leeds United.

Leading official Chris Foy will officiate at the West Yorkshire derby for the second time this season – and boss Powell is demanding a premier performance.

Both sides go into the 12.30 showdown on the back of morale-boosting 1-0 wins, Town at Wigan Athletic and Leeds at home to Bournemouth last Tuesday.

It was a first victory in eight Championship games for Leeds while Town are tracking a fourth win in five and third on the trot at the John Smith’s Stadium.

“We are in the middle of a very important spell of games against sides who are below us in the table,” explained Powell, whose team go to Millwall on Saturday week.

“I was pleased with our performance on a tough pitch at Wigan, and an away win has been a long time coming, but we have to build on a big three points for us.

“A performance like that can only enhance us as a group, and now we want to get more points on board as quickly as possible.”

Leeds boss Neil Redfearn, a former teammate of Powell’s at Charlton Athletic, has two new loan players in defender Sol Bamba and midfielder Granddi Ngoyi, both from Palermo.

The Elland Road club have also been linked with Catania striker Edgar Cani.

Powell, who has brought in defender or midfielder David Edgar on loan from Birmingham, is still seeking a frontline addition.

“I couple of times I thought I was close, and we won’t give up trying,” he said. “(Owner) Dean (Hoyle) is also keen we do something, but it has to be the right type to join in with what we are trying to do.

“I have Joe Lolley, Radi Majewski and Harry Bunn to call on, but we do need a player with Championship know how.”