Mark Hudson to lead out Huddersfield Town at Newcastle United but Nahki Wells must wait

Mark Hudson will lead out Huddersfield Town against Newcastle United while star striker Nahki Wells will have to wait for his return to the starting line-up.

Head coach David Wagner confirmed 34-year-old Hudson will be back at the heart of defence after sitting out the midweek EFL Cup loss at Shrewsbury.

And he admitted there was no reason to take the striker’s shirt off Elias Kachunga as Town prepare to play in front of 52,000-plus at St James’ Park.

WATCH: "No reason not to give Kachunga the Shirt" - Wagner

“Elias is flying at the moment and he has not only scored two goals in two games but he has worked hard for the team and he never gives up,” explained Wagner, whose injured duo Harry Bunn and Phil Billing will return to training on Sunday.

“I thought before the Shrewsbury game that Nahki would get some minutes but it didn’t work out like that.

“He is looking very strong in training, though, very positive and he is smiling. He has no pain in his knee, he wants the ball and he scores goals, so he is mobile and agile and this is great.

WATCH: Wagner on latest Nahki Wells speculation

“I’m very happy that we have this competition – it’s what we enjoy in every position – and if he and Elias get 15 or 20 goals each this season then I will be very happy.”

On Kachunga, 24, who scored against both Brentford and Shrewsbury, he added: “He works unbelievably hard and he lives the one-to-one challenge both in offence and defence.

“He is very quick and very dangerous and while he’s not the biggest, he has scored two headers already.

“Elias makes it difficult for the opposition to build their attacking game and he makes a great relationship with our other players on the pitch.

WATCH: "Kacha is flying at the moment" - Wagner

“There is not really a reason not to give him the shirt, but he knows he has to deliver that confidence and that form consistently, and confirm it every match.

“We have to help him in that, and every single player knows there is competition.”

Goalkeeper Joe Murphy, who is back in training after shoulder surgery, will not be considered until after the international break at the beginning of September.

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