MARK LILLIS says he’ll meet the challenge of managing Huddersfield Town head-on – for however long it lasts.

The popular former striker, who stepped up from academy to caretaker manager following Lee Clark’s sacking on Wednesday, is determined to keep the club’s League I promotion push firmly on course.

And he believes he has the know-how and quality of players to do exactly that.

“At the end of the day, the players are the most important thing in all this,” said the 52-year-old, who has built-up a wealth of coaching and management experience via spells with Northern Ireland, Macclesfield, Scunthorpe, Halifax, Derby, Stockport and Morecambe.

“I’m in a great position because I’m dealing with some very good players and some very good characters.

“I’ve always encouraged players to have their say, and we have quite a few leaders in our squad.

“And I’ve also been pleased with the reaction of the younger lads, many of whom have never been through something like this before.

“Wednesday was an emotional day for everyone concerned.

“To learn of Lee’s departure came as a major shock, and it was out of the blue.

“There were a few tears shed among the lads, because Lee had brought many of them to the club, nurtured them and built a strong bond with them.

“He’s been fantastic towards me ever since I returned here in December, and his attitude towards me taking over as caretaker was superb, for which I’m grateful.

“I can’t fault any of the players, either, because their attitude in the two sessions I’ve put on has been excellent.

“With us having no game this weekend, they have the chance to rest and recuperate before reporting back on Monday ready to start the build-up to the home game against Exeter on Saturday, which is huge for us.

“I’m already working on what we’ll be doing and when, and my aim is to make it as normal a week as possible and ensure we are as thoroughly prepared as possible.”

Lillis, who scored 63 goals in 242 Town games between 1977-85 and later played for Manchester City, Derby, Aston Villa, Scunthorpe and Stockport, explained his remit from Town’s owner-chairman Dean Hoyle is to make sure things are run as smoothly as possible until an appointment is made.

“It’s a cliche, but it’s about taking things day by day and match by match,” he added.

“I’m ready to do that for as long as the chairman wants me to, and it’s certainly not a task which frightens me.

“I’ve worked alongside some great people in Sammy McIlroy, Brian Horton, George Burley, Brian Laws and John Gregory as well as Lee Clark (below), but I’m my own man too.

“I’ve been in a lot of different dressing rooms in a lot of different situations, and as well as managing Halifax, I’ve had spells as caretaker at Derby and Stockport.

“Town gave me my big break after I had been released by Manchester City as a teenager and it’s a special club to me, so to have the chance to make a contribution like this is great.

“The key thing is to separate all the talk about who is going to take over from the actual football, because let’s not forget, were are in a great position to challenge for automatic promotion.

“I will make sure the players are totally focused on the Exeter game and in the best possible position to go out and get three points.”

Lillis has already been studying reports and reviewing footage of Exeter, who are in action at home to Bury tomorrow.

Town’s scheduled hosts Stevenage are in FA Cup fifth-round action at home to Tottenham, with the game now taking place on Tuesday week, February 28.

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