Huddersfield Town are expected to be busy this summer and, having released eight players earlier this week, rumours are beginning to circulate about who will arrive in the coming months.

Midfield will be a particularly pertinent area for manager Mark Robins, with the exit of Keith Southern leaving the Terriers chief with few alternatives to call upon in the middle third.

First-choice trio Adam Clayton, Oliver Norwood and Jonathan Hogg are backed up only by Oscar Gobern and a plethora of youngsters, including Duane Holmes and Philip Billing, who both made first-team breakthroughs in 2013/2014.

With that in mind, we have compiled a list of the 20 midfielders the club may wish to look at during the close season as they attempt to bolster the playing staff...

Central midfielders:

Radoslaw Majewski (Nottingham Forest) - The Polish midfielder has reached a fork in the road on his Forest career and could be set for a move this summer, despite still having two years to run on his current deal.

Majewski is not guaranteed first-team football, particularly now new manager Stuart Pearce is to take the reins at the City Ground, and he is able to offer an inventive spark in midfield, as well as being able to play anywhere in the '3' of a 4-2-3-1.

Darren Pratley (Bolton Wanderers) - The former Swansea midfielder will have just 12 months remaining on his contract at the Reebok Stadium and could seek pastures new after Wanderers finished in a lowly 14th place.

One factor behind any potential deal may be a shoulder injury which kept Pratley out for the final few months of the season, but his experience could prove invaluable.

Jacob Mellis (Barnsley) - The former Chelsea starlet is out of contract at Oakwell following the Tykes' relegation to League One and, despite their best efforts to keep him, he seems set for an exit. The 23-year-old may be minded to stay in Yorkshire when weighing up his next move.

Mellis developed a 'bad-boy' reputation during his time with the Blues but his talent is undeniable and he will hope to show it on a more regular basis if he moves on.

Massimo Luongo (Swindon Town) - The Australian midfielder has become an integral part of the Robins' first team this season and has made 53 appearances in all competitions.

He would command a fee with two years remaining on his current deal but, at 21, his best years are still ahead of him.

George Thorne (West Brom) The Baggies loanee has starred in a deep-lying playmaker role for Derby this season and will be key to their aspirations of winning the play-offs and gaining promotion to the Premier League.

Any switch would be a temporary one, with Thorne having signed a new three-and-a-half-year deal with his parent club in January before his loan move to the iPro Stadium and it remains to be seen whether or not he will stay with Steve McClaren's side, particularly if they reach the top flight.

Dean Whitehead (Middlesbrough) - While Grant Leadbitter has been the star attraction in midfield on Teesside this season, Whitehead may be a more attainable option, despite arriving on a free only last summer.

Whitehead also has an abundance of Premier League experience after spells with Sunderland and Stoke City.

Emyr Huws (Manchester City) - In an otherwise largely dismal campaign for Birmingham, Manchester City youngster Huws' loan spell was one of the bright sparks and won an inaugural international cap for Wales to reward his progress.

Given the wealth of talent at City manager Manuel Pellegrini's disposal, a loan move for Huws may be the best course of action once again next season.

Guy Moussi (Nottingham Forest) - It may not be a name to set Huddersfield fans' pulses racing, but Moussi could prove a useful addition on a free when his Forest deal expires this summer.

While by no means a first-choice pick at the City Ground in the last 12 months, Moussi has proven during his stay at the club that he is a powerful performer at the base of midfield.

Danny Guthrie (Reading) Might be considered a slightly unrealistic target given the fee that would be involved but, with just one year left on his deal and with the Royals unable to clinch a play-off berth, stranger things have happened.

Guthrie was one of the primary reasons behind Nigel Adkins' side's ultimately failed push for the top six, and they would not let him go without a fight but he would be ideal in terms of adding some much-needed creativity.

Nick Powell (Manchester United) - Has enjoyed a productive loan spell at Wigan Athletic and helped the Latics secure a play-off spot as they seek an immediate return to the Premier League.

Akin to Thorne's situation at Derby, Powell may well be tempted to stay with his current club if they reach the top flight but failure to could open the door for Town, with United's anticipated summer shopping spree likely to push Powell further down the pecking order at Old Trafford.

Wingers:

Tomasz Cywka (Barnsley) - Another name that will not excite the Town faithful but has a wealth of experience at this level and would be affordable and attainable too.

The former Wigan Athletic man struggled along with his side last season but he is able to boast the ability to play anywhere across the frontline within his armoury, as well as an eye for goal.

Gary Mackay-Steven (Dundee United) - The 24-year-old is one of a number of talented players on the books at Tannadice Park and has plundered 10 goals in 29 outings in all competitions this season.

Mackay-Steven is arguably the finest talent of United's golden generation but there would be considerable competition in any race for his signature.

Chris Eagles (Bolton Wanderers) - The former Manchester United youngster has been released by Dougie Freedman after largely failing to impress since a move from Burnley in 2011.

Despite scoring 19 goals in 106 appearances for Wanderers, Eagles - who turned down loan moves to Charlton Athletic and Ipswich Town last year - brings pace, trickery and good crossing ability from wide positions.

Franck Moussa (Coventry City) - The speedy wideman is out of contract with the West Midlands outfit and could be tempted by a switch up a division after manager Steven Pressley conceded he is likely to depart.

Moussa struck 14 goals last season and scooped the club's goal of the season award for the second consecutive season and will have plenty of admirers to choose from this summer.

Tommy Rowe (Peterborough) Another who finds himself looking for a new club in the next few months unless Peterborough - who sealed a play-off spot - can secure promotion to the Championship.

Rowe netted nine times in 41 appearances last season for Posh and is equally adept at left-back and in the centre of midfield as he is flying down the left flank.

Chris Burke (Birmingham City) - The Scot has been one of the Blues' most consistent performers over the last two seasons since his switch from Cardiff City in 2011.

Burke may be seeking a new lease of life this summer, however, after his side narrowly avoided relegation and, with his contract finishing, is sure to have teams looking at him.

David Cotterill (Doncaster Rovers) - Another whose contract has come to an end and is being tipped to remain in the Championship. A switch across Yorkshire may hold some appeal for the winger, who is renowned for his speed out wide.

He may not be prolific, having only found the net on four occasions in 44 appearances last season, but he boasts significant international experience with Wales.

Matthew Etherington (Stoke City) - Perhaps an overly-ambitious target but the fact his Potters deal ends this summer means he should be heading through the exit door.

The former Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United winger has largely played second fiddle to Oussama Assaidi and Marko Arnautovic since the duo's respective arrivals at the Britannia Stadium and Etherington may have to drop down a division to experience first-team football once more after suffering from injuries and a loss of form.

Paddy McCourt (Barnsley) - Yet another free transfer, and one from across Yorkshire, with the ex-Celtic flyer looking for new employers after his release.

Was dubbed as the next big thing to emerge from Scottish football during his time north of the border, with Liverpool credited with an interest but his time in England has not worked out as planned. McCourt will hope any potential move could see him re-discover a talent which has largely fallen by the wayside.

Lloyd Dyer (Leicester City) - The fact he is out of contract seems almost irrelevant, with the Foxes sure to strengthen their ranks ahead of their first season in the top flight for 10 years.

Anthony Knockaert is already established as one of Nigel Pearson's preferred widemen and January signing Riyad Mahrez has usurped Dyer in the pecking order despite the latter scoring the goal that sealed the league title for Leicester. A switch to a Championship club seems likely after discussions over renewed terms broke down.

Huddersfield Town transfer rumours: 20 defenders who could be available this summer - click here to read

 

Huddersfield Town transfer rumours: 10 strikers who could be available this summer - click here to read

 

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