PETER CLARKE says there are plenty of incentives for promotion-chasing Huddersfield Town to end their regular League I campaign with a solid home win over Yeovil tomorrow.
Play-off foes MK Dons might be in the box seat in the race to finish fourth in the final table and claim home advantage in the semi-final second leg.
But Clarke, gearing up for a third play-off tilt as Town captain, says Simon Grayson’s side have to be ready to take advantage should MK, who have a two-point advantage and a superior goal difference, come unstuck at home to Walsall.
The centre-back also believes beating Gary Johnson’s 16th-placed West Country team would help generate the feel-good factor.
And he’s urged teammates to take the chance to impress as manager Simon Grayson fine-tunes ahead of the MK meetings.
Grayson will take a roll call ahead of training today, with decisions to be made on keeper Ian Bennett (thigh), defender Calum Woods (knee), midfielder Damien Johnson (clash of heads) and striker Lee Novak (hamstring), who have all been under treatment since last Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Walsall.
Fans will also wait to see if 38-goal frontman Jordan Rhodes is rested once again – Grayson has strongly hinted that will be the case – while the boss has already said it’s unlikely either Gary Naysmith or Alan Lee, both of whom are recovering from knee injuries, will be risked.
“Whoever plays tomorrow has the chance to force the manager’s hand when it comes to picking the team for the first leg against MK Dons – wherever it takes place,” said Clarke, who will be keen to help ensure Town also keep a clean sheet.
“We can’t do anything about the MK-Walsall result, but we can win our game and see where it takes us.
“If we have to go to MK second, then that’s what we’ll do, and we know our fans will be there in droves.
“If we can give them something to cheer tomorrow, all the better.”
