Muzzy Carayol's special long range strike may have led Tuesday night's highlights reels, but the name on most Huddersfield Town fans' lips after watching their team beat Rotherham plies his trade at the other end of the pitch.

Joel Lynch returned to the side following injury lay-off and, in his first match under David Wagner's new style, he adapted seamlessly to the demands of Championship football.

The cliché is that it felt like he'd never been away - except it didn't, because the memories of being without him are still fresh in the minds of the Terriers' faithful.

A reminder came as early as the eighth minute, when multiple hearts entered multiple mouths at the sight of former Town striker Danny Ward bearing down on goal - only to find the foot of Lynch sliding in with a perfectly-timed tackle to avert the very real danger.

Huddersfield Town v Derby County Skybet Championship. John Smith's Stadium, Huddersfield. Harry Bunn celebrates his equaliser. Joel Lynch.

It set the tone for a towering defensive display from one of the club's stalwarts.

Opta stats show he made four interceptions, four clearances and won 100% of his tackles as the Millers repeatedly tried and failed to find a way past his intimidating figure towards goal.

And yet the former Nottingham Forest man combines his raw defensive attributes with a certain elegance and range of passing. He completed 74% of his passes on Tuesday night, with 23%of those longer ones to try and drive the team forward.

Joel Lynch appearances 2015/16

16

Games played

1440

Minutes played

Championship stats (Opta)

His value has been recognised in the dugout as well as in the stands - the only games Lynch has missed this season have come as a result of his recent injury. He's played every single minute of his 16 league starts and was restored to the starting line-up by Wagner as soon as he was deemed fit enough to last yet another full complement of minutes in the manager's high-intensity system.

It's no wonder given the extra solidity his assured presence gives the rest of the back line.

Against Bristol City, Town conceded twice from free kicks in very similar areas - seemingly unable to get to grips with the floated set piece delivery.

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Against Rotherham, they gave away a pair of fouls in and around the same area again. The Millers had clearly done their homework.

And yet, this time Lynch was there to organise the defence and ultimately to clear the danger.

Town's squad looks at its thinnest at striker and centre back. That is surely where any January business is likely to focus.

In Lynch, they already have one central defender who is setting the required standard.