James Vaughan will return to action for Town at Sheffield Wednesday tomorrow lunchtime – as skipper.

Manager Mark Robins has chosen to hand the armband to the 11-goal top scorer in the injury-enforced absence of Peter Clarke.

Robins reckons former Everton and Norwich striker Vaughan, available after a three-match ban, has the right level of respect from his teammates both on and off the pitch.

And the boss believes the extra responsibility will help focus the ultra-competitive 25-year-old’s desire to win in the right direction.

With centre-back Clarke facing up to three months out because of a knee injury, Robins explained: “I obviously needed to select an interim skipper.

“Peter is a true captain – most of the lads know him as ‘Skip’ – and he will still have a role to play from the sidelines while he is returning to fitness.

“But we need a leader out on the pitch. There were a number of candidates, and I thought long and hard before deciding on James.

“He’s a key man in our squad, he has shown his desire to be at this club and I think the captaincy will help hone his fierce spirit and will to succeed.”

Vaughan, red carded at Leicester five weeks ago, returns with Town 15th in the Championship and seeking a third win in four visits to Hillsborough.

Huddersfield Town's James Vaughan is sent off at Leicester City
Huddersfield Town's James Vaughan is sent off at Leicester City

The hosts are third-bottom with just one win in 14 league games, but Robins, a former Wednesday player, warned: “It will be tough.

“But we have a really great derby in prospect, we want to impress in front of the Sky cameras and we are all really looking forward to it.”

Robins could also recall Vaughan’s fellow striker Martin Paterson, and has midfielder Jonathan Hogg available after a knee injury.

It’s a 12.15 kick-off in the steel city and Town fans can pay on the day, although prices increase by £1 (to £28 adults and £17 seniors and Under 18s).