WOUNDED player-coach Mark Sowerby has gone on the defensive!

The experienced forward admits his Huddersfield side are still picking up the pieces following last week's heavy 37-20 Intermediate Cup defeat at Kendal.

Defensive frailties were at the heart of their disappointing exit.

Sowerby has made it clear he wants to avoid a repeat against Chester in tomorrow's North I clash at Lockwood Park (3.00).

And he fears the worst if there is no change.

"If we want to stay in the title mix we can't afford to slip up in this one," said Sowerby.

"On paper, we should be too strong for them (Chester have won two of their nine League games and Huddersfield five).

"But if we defend like we have done in our last two matches, we're going to make it hard for ourselves.

"Against Caldy and then against Kendal we missed far too many first-up tackles and suffered the consequences.

"In my time at Huddersfield we have had a proud defensive record, but that now seems to be slipping.

"I just hope the work we've been doing to try and rectify that in training this week has paid off and we'll see the results tomorrow.

"I'm sure that if we can get back on the winning track with a real confidence-boosting performance it will do everyone a power of good.

"It will certainly help us get over the disappointment of the cup and help us re-focus on the league."

Sowerby welcomes back four key players tomorrow.

Lee Paxman has now recovered from a deadleg and returns at inside centre, while Neil Summers makes way at scrum half for Damian Clayton, who missed the Cumbrian trip due to work commitments.

Back-rowers Mark Whitehead and Gavin Jones also return.

Whitehead was unavailable last week due to work and Jones was having to study at university.

Their returns mean Tom Sharrock steps back into their second team, despite scoring a try on his full first-team debut last Saturday.

And Sowerby was keen to stress the switch was in no way a reflection on his performance.

"Tom can certainly count himself unlucky not to be playing again tomorrow," he said.

"The changes made this weekend are for specific reasons, and nothing to do with a lack of ability.

"In fact, I was delighted with the way Tom performed.

"His effort was definitely one of the few positives to come out of the Kendal game.

"And he knows that if the team tomorrow don't frame themselves, he won't have to wait long to get back in the first team!"

Huddersfield: Metcalfe; Shaw, Carter, Paxman, Taylor; Johnson, Clayton; Pollock, Gough, Springwell, Pratt, Hinchliff, Jones, Whitehead, Sowerby. Subs: McPahil, Rotchell, Wicket.

Falcons (Morley, a, 2.15. Meet noon): Swift; Davies (T), Prescott, Wilson, Lynch; Ainsworth, Rothery; Thorpe, Davies (J), Chatha, Bodsworth, Baxter, Shiel, Doyne, Sharrock. Subs: Shaw, Stubley, Smith, Hawkins, Nield, Quarmby.

A team (Barnsley, a, 2.15. Meet 12.30): Tinker; Harry, Coffey, Terry, Bermhauser; Tofilua, Ball; Ellis, Lancaster (A), Harris, Lancaster (B), Swift, Silver, Hirst, Walker. Subs: Hayes, Nixon, Silvester, Pearson.