Huddersfield Town strikers James Vaughan and Nahki Wells could be a twin attack spearhead for the first time in five months against Nottingham Forest in the Capital One Cup tonight.
Last season’s leading scorer Vaughan and £1.3m signing Wells – who netted in the 1-1 draw against Charlton Athletic on Saturday – have not started a match together since the defeat at Blackpool on March 22 last season.
Vaughan returned after a summer of surgery and rehab to play an important role as a substitute against Charlton, and stand-in boss Mark Lillis has the option of starting with him against the Championship leaders at the John Smith’s Stadium.
The second-round tie could be the ideal opportunity, but Lillis will be mindful of not rushing Vaughan back too quickly, especially as the international break follows this coming Saturday’s league trip to Watford.
While fans will be hopeful of seeing the strike duo in tandem once again when Stuart Pearce’s highly-rated side come to Town – City Ground loan man Radi Majewski is not allowed to play for Town – defender Tommy Smith has paid tribute to new midfield partners Conor Coady and Jacob Butterfield.
He feels they have played a big part in lifting the team since that disastrous opening-day defeat against Bournemouth.
He said: “I think there are a number of little things that we have improved on.
“I think round pegs in round holes and I think that’s part of the reason. We’ve gone back to basics with the formation and switched to four at the back and we seem to be better for it; we look more organised and a bit stronger.
“We’ve also seen the arrival and emergence of a couple of new players in Conor Coady and ‘Butts’ (Butterfield), who have been brilliant in midfield.”
