Oscar Gobern's future at Huddersfield Town looks increasingly bleak, with the midfielder considering his options after initial talks over a new deal.

Town boss Chris Powell is already keen to reinforce his tight-knit squad and any exit for Gobern would leave him one man light in midfield, despite hopes that the likes of Philip Billing and Sondre Tronstad could progress.

Indeed, another midfield signing could well represent an obstacle in the youngster's respective paths as they look to carve a career for themselves at Championship level although a mooted move for Bradford City's Billy Knott is a non-starter.

But Gobern's form towards the end of the season, coupled with a lack of resources beyond first-choice trio Jacob Butterfield, Conor Coady and Jonathan Hogg suggest Powell will be on the lookout for fresh blood.

Finances will be tight once more this summer and so Town will have to invest wisely in the transfer window to bolster a squad which is low on numbers after a January cull.

Here are 10 midfielders that Powell could consider...

10 midfielders Chris Powell could target to replace Oscar Gobern

1) Massimo Luongo (Swindon Town):

The 22-year-old has been one of the most consistent players in the third tier during 2014/15 and certainly has the technical qualities required to play at a higher level after inspiring the Robins to a play-off final berth.

Much will depend on how Mark Cooper's men fare against Preston North End, but they will be susceptible to bids for the Australian international if they fail to go up.

2) Sam Morsy (Chesterfield):

The Spireites could be set for a raft of departures this summer following their play-off semi-final heartache and manager Paul Cook's subsequent departure to Portsmouth, with Morsy attracting plenty of interest.

Cardiff City and Town's Yorkshire rivals Leeds United are said to be heading the race for his signature following a series of combative displays at the heart of midfield for the Proact Stadium outfit.

3) Daniel Johnson (Preston North End):

Signed a two-and-a-half year deal at Deepdale in January and therefore would not be the easiest to attract, particularly if North End reach the Championship, but there is no doubting the former Aston Villa man's suitability as a potential Gobern replacement.

Not only is he left-footed, but he also offers tangible quality in the final third - evidenced by his tally of 11 assists in League One last season, the fourth best in the division.

League One top assists

4) Lewis Baker (Chelsea - on loan at Sheffield Wednesday and MK Dons last season):

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho is notoriously pragmatic and the big question mark hanging over his managerial CV is the lack of youngsters he has helped bed into first-team football.

And, with Ruben Loftus-Cheek appearing the only exception to the rule in midfield currently, chances may be limited for Baker once more at Stamford Bridge so another loan move, following his successful stint at Stadium MK, looks to be on the cards for the mobile 20-year-old.

5) Bradley Dack (Gillingham):

Gills manager Justin Edinburgh insists his star midfielder is not for sale but the 20-year-old's emergence since turning pro at the Priestfield Stadium in 2012 is sure to have alerted several clubs.

Dack is a gifted attacking midfielder who is just as comfortable out wide as he is in the centre and he will be a familiar face to Powell having spent time at Charlton Athletic during his youth career.

6) Conor Hourihane (Barnsley):

One of the top-scoring midfielders in League One last term and also one of only three players to better Johnson's total for assists, Hourihane was a revelation for the Tykes during his debut season in 2014/15.

Manager Lee Johnson is confident of keeping his prized asset at Oakwell but the left-footed playmaker is capable of performing in the second tier judging by last season's form and also offers versatility in being able to play centrally or on the flanks as well as penchant for the spectacular.

Watch some of Hourihane's long-range screamers in the video below...

7) John Swift (Chelsea - on loan at Rotherham United and Swindon Town last season):

Unable to make an impression at Rotherham during the early part of 2014/15, but Swift has flourished at the Robins and is still highly thought-of at the Premier League champions.

Notched his first goal in international colours in the England U20 side's 2-1 win over USA back in March and will be determined to prove his worth at Championship level following his failure to impress at the New York Stadium.

8) Joe Edwards (Yeovil Town):

Newly-promoted Bristol City are reportedly the favourites to capture their former trainee following his release from fellow west country outfit Yeovil, but the likes of Birmingham City and Charlton Athletic have kept a watching brief on the former Glovers captain all season long.

Edwards would offer both the experience Powell is looking for, even at the tender age of 24, while he would arrive with the added bonus of being able to play at full-back, another position likely to be strengthened this summer.

9) Ryan Woods (Shrewsbury Town):

Micky Mellon's bid to hold onto his precocious midfield talent has been boosted with promotion to League One, but a host of clubs in the top two divisions have scouted the 21-year-old in the last 12 months.

He has earned himself the moniker 'ginger Pirlo' from his manager, who has hailed the work ethic and desire to improve shown by Woods and he is sure to be a target for many clubs this summer.

Ryan Woods has shone at Shrewsbury Town

10) Kyle Dempsey (Carlisle United):

The fleet-footed playmaker has plied his trade out wide largely for a struggling Carlisle side but, even at the age of 19, he has been head and shoulders above his other teammates this season.

Dempsey has weighed in with a laudable nine assists - the joint-second highest total in League Two - and a further 10 goals from midfield, which has illustrated both his technical ability and a responsibility which is not in keeping with his young age.

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