Millwall v Huddersfield Town: Will fringe players come to the fore in absence of injured trio and other key questions ahead of this weekend's clash

Huddersfield Town head to Millwall this weekend looking to put some daylight between themselves and the third-bottom Lions after slumping to a disappointing derby defeat to Leeds United last time out.

The Terriers began slowly against their West Yorkshire neighbours and ultimately paid the price for a slack display as Billy Sharp's late header denied Chris Powell's side the chance to move into the top half for the first time this season.

So that loss places huge importance on this contest, as consecutive setbacks would see Town sit, at best, just five points above the drop zone depending on other results.

But what are the key questions for Town ahead of the trip to the capital this weekend?

Here are just some things to think about as Powell's men aim for a fourth away success of the season.

In pictures: Huddersfield Town 1-2 Leeds United

Will Town's fringe players come to the fore in the absence of injured trio?

It's always difficult to tell how a matchday squad will play out judging on Powell's press conference comments, with James Vaughan's unexpected and rapid recovery to face Wigan Athletic a case in point.

Powell definitively ruled Joel Lynch out of the trip to The Den, but with resources currently so limited in defence, Tommy Smith and Jonathan Hogg may yet come into the reckoning.

The protocol regarding Smith's horror injury last week is seven days, but the right-back has shown remarkable recovery levels to return to first-team training already, while Hogg's fitness is still doubtful, but both will be monitored right up to the 11th hour.

That could present the likes of Murray Wallace, Oscar Gobern or even Radoslaw Majewski the chance to shine as David Edgar will almost certainly drop back to defence if Smith and Hogg are unable to adequately prove their condition.

Wallace has come in for criticism recently and Lynch's superb recent form has seen him become a mainstay at the back, but the Scot will relish the direct threat posed by Ian Holloway's side, while Gobern showed on a couple of occasions during January that he can be relied upon as an understudy.

Can Ishmael Miller provide Town with a greater presence up front?

The early and enforced substitution of Nahki Wells certainly didn't help matters, but it was painfully evident against Leeds that James Vaughan struggles to lead the line in isolation.

He cut a forlorn figure at times as rustiness from another injury-plagued campaign set in and exposed Town's lack of viable alternatives in attack, with Harry Bunn moving out wide after replacing Wells.

Vaughan fought valiantly and was starved of any proper service by a surprisingly disappointing Jacob Butterfield, but he had to show greater patience and intelligence when the ball did come his way.

He failed in that regard for Leeds' opening goal last weekend, as he wastefully squandered possession inside Town's half and allowed the visitors to press Powell's men back and Sam Byram cashed in.

Wells is expected to be in the squad this weekend, which is a massive boost and gives Powell plenty of options in attack, and it would be surprising if new signing Ishmael Miller is not handed the chance to shine.

Only three teams have scored less than Holloway's side and only three have conceded more, including Town, so fans will expect a more dynamic performance than the one served up against Leeds and Miller is capable of providing both the speed in transitions and the focal point that was so sorely absent from the Terriers' system in the derby.

Will Powell's side manage to come through unscathed?

Town were dealt a huge blow before the Leeds match with Alex Smithies ruled out through illness, and though he may have suffered from some inconsistent form so far this season, deputy Joe Murphy failed to press his claims for more regular involvement.

Powell admitted in his pre-match press conference that he was happy with the state of his squad despite leaving himself without bona fide first-team cover in a number of areas, and much prefers working with a tight-knit group.

That is fair enough, but should any more injuries occur in SE16 on Saturday, his decision to let a host of out-of-favour individuals out may start to come back to haunt him and force his hand in the upcoming loan window.

The return of Smithies this weekend supplements the goalkeeping department, but Town can ill-afford any more injuries in defence, where skipper Mark Hudson looks to be running increasingly on empty having started each and every game since arriving at the back end of the summer transfer window.

Wells' presence is also a huge boost but the manager could be forgiven for praying his side come through what is set to be a hotly-contested relegation six-pointer in a hostile atmosphere without suffering any more additions to the ever-increasing list of those in the physio room.