January is a notoriously difficult trading period for managers and this month's transfer window has proven no different, with Huddersfield Town so far proving fairly quiet.

Chris Powell has already admitted he would be happy with the squad at his disposal if the deadline passes without him strengthening, although he has admitted the club are actively pursuing an additional frontman, an area Town fans want to see bolstered.

Tom Marshall-Bailey looks at how the transfer window has affected the Terriers.

Arrivals

Town have made just the one signing so far in January, having swooped for Birmingham City's utility man David Edgar on a loan deal until the end of the season.

The Canadian international had been a long-term target for Powell, who has rescued the 27-year-old from a fringe role at St Andrew's after falling from favour under Gary Rowett.

Edgar impressed on his debut at Wigan Athletic last weekend and helped secure a welcome away win and clean sheet with an assured display in front of the back four.

Departures

Powell made it vehemently clear that he would have to sell in order to buy and he has gone about that in decisive fashion by effectively bringing the curtain down on the careers of Jon Stead and Martin Paterson while allowing three others to depart.

Danny Ward initially signed on loan for Rotherham United, but that deal has now been converted into a permanent one and he is joined at the New York Stadium by fellow wideman Adam Hammill, who has gone out on loan to receive some much-needed first-team football.

The same applied to Stead, the scourge of Chelsea in Bradford City's shock FA Cup win, who has moved to the Bantams on loan until the end of the season, when his existing terms with Town expire.

Paterson was in a similar situation and has sealed a dream move to the MLS with Orlando City and a mini-exodus to date was concluded with the sale of Lee Peltier to Cardiff City on undisclosed terms.

Lee Peltier has moved on to pastures new with Cardiff City
Lee Peltier has moved on to pastures new with Cardiff City

Players linked?

Town have been linked with a host of strikers so far in the transfer window, with several rumours over potential moves for Adam Le Fondre and Nicky Maynard emerging as it became clear Peltier was in discussions over a move to the Welsh capital.

Perennial speculation regarding a move for James Hanson has reared its head once more, while Carlton Cole, Marvin Sordell, League One hotshots Eoin Doyle and Michael Smith and Dundee United star Nadir Ciftci are other names the rumour mill has thrown up.

They have also been linked with moves for Ciftci's teammate Stuart Armstrong, who has been the subject of a failed £1.5m bid from Burnley, Rangers midfielder Nicky Law and Charlton Athletic skipper Johnnie Jackson, who Powell knows well from his time at SE7.

Powell is clearly in the market for a striker but is relaxed about the situation and is happy to wait until the upcoming loan window unless an opportunity presents itself to the Terriers.

Dundee United's Nadir Ciftci is one reported striker target for Huddersfield Town
Dundee United's Nadir Ciftci is one reported striker target for Huddersfield Town

Players likely to leave?

It seems unlikely that Powell will countenance the sale of any of his first-team squad having let go of five already and having only brought in one, but central defender Anthony Gerrard is one player who has been told he is free to leave.

Rumours have surfaced in the last few days over a possible Dundee United return for Paul Dixon, but they are understood to be wide of the mark and it would be a huge gamble to let go of their only true first-team backup in the left-back position, with Jake Carroll the only other specialist there.

Dixon could potentially be used as bait in any deal for Ciftci or Armstrong but that seems an unlikely scenario and any other possible exits will most certainly be younger players seeking first-team opportunities to assist in their development.

It would be a surprise to see Paul Dixon depart before the end of the January transfer window
It would be a surprise to see Paul Dixon depart before the end of the January transfer window

Where do Town still need to strengthen?

It's patently clear that the Terriers require another striker to alleviate the pressure on Nahki Wells and James Vaughan, whose injury problems mean he is walking a constant fitness tightrope, but his surprise return at Wigan has at least bought Powell time.

The search may be slightly less desperate now, but Town are still devoid of a forward in the Grant Holt mould who is tried and tested at this level in a lone spearhead role as well as functioning as part of a duo in attack.

Edgar's arrival means Town are now well-stocked in defensive midfield and at the back, but if they can find a buyer for Gerrard, they may require an extra presence at the heart of the backline.

The Birmingham loanee has been hailed for his versatility but to leave gaps at right-back, in central defence and defensive midfield to be plugged by one player is certainly a risk.

Jacob Butterfield and Conor Coady have both played a lot of football this term, too, so an additional body in midfield would be desirable, although the emergence of Lloyd Allinson in Joe Murphy's absence means an emergency goalkeeper should not become an issue for Town.

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