Chris Powell says Nahki Wells could well be back up front when Huddersfield Town host Bolton Wanderers on Saturday.
The boss sprung a surprise by leaving out his leading scorer both last season and this in favour of Ishmael Miller at Charlton Athletic, where his side picked up a first win of the campaign.
Wells was one of three players to drop to the bench (alongside defender Tommy Smith and forward Jamie Paterson) while midfielder Jonathan Hogg was ruled out by an ankle injury.
Jason Davidson and full debutants Emyr Huws and Mustapha Carayol made the starting XI alongside Miller at The Valley, where Town won 2-1.
Powell’s selection cost 25-year-old Bermuda international Wells, who scored 14 times last season and has notched twice this term, his ever-present record.
The former Charlton gaffer, who kept faith with Harry Bunn, who scored Town’s opener at The Valley, maintained it was the right decision.
“I thought a lot about the team and I made my decision after reviewing Charlton’s home game against Rotherham United on Saturday,” he explained.
“We stayed together as a group after our game at Cardiff, and did a lot of talking and a lot of good work on the practice ground at Bisham Abbey.
Below are pictures from Town's games so far this season.
“I thought we needed Ishy on the field at Charlton, and while he has been catching up after an injury during pre-season, he is getting there, and he gave their centre-backs a tough time.
“I also wanted to start with Muzzy Carayol, because like Sean Scannell he has pace and can bring us up the pitch.
“And I thought Harry Bunn was excellent at Cardiff and deserved to stay in the side, so it was was pleasing to see him get his goal.
“Harry is a scorer and a hard worker. He got nine last season and I feel he can better that this time.
“Don’t get me wrong, I like Nahki Wells. He is a big player for us and he may well be back against Bolton, but I felt I had to go the way I did at Charlton.”
Beating Charlton lifted Town to 20th in the Championship. Bolton are 17th after their 0-0 home draw against Sheffield Wednesday.
