Jonathan Hogg and Kyle Dempsey face a big week on the training ground as Huddersfield Town prepare to tackle Bristol City at the John Smith’s Stadium on Saturday.

The pair are the most obvious candidates to fill the midfield void left by Dean Whitehead , who has been ruled out for six to eight weeks by a knee problem.

The 33-year-old picked up the injury during the 2-0 win at Birmingham City on Saturday, Town manager David Wagner’s first victory in three attempts as head coach.

A scan revealed the extent of the damage, and while relieved the damage isn’t more serious, Whitehead admitted on Twitter: “I’m gutted I can’t help the lads in the busy Christmas period.

“I feared more serious injury, but I’ll be working my hardest to get back asap.

I’m a fan for the next six to eight weeks .”

It’s the first injury suffered by the 33-year-old former Oxford United, Sunderland and Stoke City player since he moved from Middlesbrough during the close-season.

The only one of Town’s 20 games Whitehead has missed was the 2-2 Championship draw at Reading last month due to a one-match ban for reaching five yellow cards.

The visit of 21st-placed Bristol City is the first of two key home games in four days for 19th-placed Town, who have midfielder Phil Billing working his way back after an ankle injury.

Second-bottom Rotherham United come to the John Smith’s Stadium on Tuesday and it’s a great opportunity for Wagner’s team to further climb the table.

Hogg’s season has been interrupted by a thigh injury, and the former Watford man has been restricted to six starts and three appearances from the bench.

The 27-year-old came off the bench during Wagner’s first match in charge at Sheffield Wednesday last month and has been an unused substitute for both games since.

Dempsey, Town’s £300,000 close-season signing from League II side Carlisle United, has played 10 times, four of them starts.

The 20-year-old was switched to left-back against Sheffield Wednesday, and has appeared as a substitute in the last two games.