James Vaughan could be back in the first-team frame when Huddersfield Town head to Ipswich Town on Saturday week.

The 27-year-old striker featured in a behind-closed doors game against Manchester City, completing 45 minutes.

Injury-plagued Vaughan, who has been out with a calf problem, has made only one appearance this season, as a substitute in the 1-1 home draw with Brighton and Hove Albion in August.

The former Norwich City man has already been told he won’t be handed a new contract at the end of this season.

He was set for a transfer-window switch to Wigan Athletic, but couldn’t agree terns with the League I club.

Skipper Mark Hudson and keeper Joe Murphy, who are returning from ankle and calf injuries respectively, also played against City at the Premier League club’s academy stadium.

James Vaughan - back in action

Nahki Wells, Jamie Paterson, Kyle Dempsey, Martin Cranie, Jonathan Hogg, Sean Scannell and former City pair Harry Bunn and Tommy Smith also had run-outs.

Powell was pleased by the return of Vaughan, Hudson, who was an unused substitute in Saturday’s Championship defeat at Wolves, and Murphy.

“Mark came through the full 90 minutes unscathed,” reported the boss, whose side have no game this weekend because of the international break.

“Vaughany and Joe played the planned 45 minutes and were both fine. Having them back is a great boost to my options.”

Powell, whose side are 18th, bemoaned their inability to take chances in the wake of the 3-0 Molineux setback, which was a first defeat in four.

“The three of them have now trained and played a game this week so, as long as they get through next week, they should be ready for the heavy schedule of games we have coming up.

“The more options we have, the better.”

After Ipswich, Town have home matches against MK Dons (Tuesday, October 20) and Derby County (Saturday 24).