SIMON Grayson hopes Jermaine Beckford will play an important part for Huddersfield Town in the second half of the Championship season.

The 29-year-old's loan from Leicester City has been extended to the end of the season, although Beckford will not be able to play against The Foxes on New Year's Day.

Take a look at the picture gallery below to see some of his memorable moments so far

Related content


Grayson is delighted to have concluded the loan extension as Town bid to end a run of seven matches without a win.

"I think people have seen his qualities and what he can bring to this football club when he's been in the team," said Grayson, who has Anthony Gerrard available against Blackpool on Boxing Day because Town are appealing his red card from the Crystal Palace match and the FA disciplinary panel don't sit again until Thursday.

"Jermaine has a real hunger and desire to succeed here and do well for us. Unfortunately we've missed Jermaine a bit through injury (hamstring), but hopefully he will get a clear run now and get plenty of games and goals under his belt.

"Jermaine has no history of long-term injuries and, unfortunately, these things just happen at times. He's a very highly-tuned athlete and we've just been a little bit unfortunate. We've missed other players for spells this season and that just happens in football.

"Hopefully we can get the best out of him from now until the end of the season, because a fit Jermaine Beckford will get goals. He is a threat in the opposition's area and that's what we need."



Beckford, who joined on a 93-day emergency loan  in late September, has netted three goals in seven starts and says he had no doubts about staying at the John Smith's Stadium.

"This decision came naturally because the manager and players have shown a lot of faith in me," said Beckford.

"It feels like the right place to be right now. The reaction of the fans always plays a part in this sort of decision, too, because they are the fabled 12th man.

"For the Huddersfield Town fans to take me in like they have done is a contributing factor to me wanting to extend the loan.

"The injury has been frustrating, though, to put it mildly. I'm fortunate enough that I've never really been injured throughout my career. To have scored in half the games that I've played in so far is a nice feeling, but at the same time I would have liked to have scored much more. There's lots of time left in the season though.

"As the manager has said, everybody's main aim here is to stay in this division. If we can do that, everyone will be happy. Personally I feel we have a little bit more than what's needed simply to stay in this division and without putting any pressure on any of the boys, I don't think we'll be far off the play-offs."