The 2016/17 Championship campaign is rapidly appearing over the horizon.

Fixtures are out, the countdown is on and the first pre-season friendly engagement is upon us.

Guiseley host Huddersfield Town and although the result isn't likely to count for much, there are still plenty of sub-plots on offer in the summer's opening act...

Debuts on the cards

Christopher Schindler becomes Huddersfield Town new record signing from 1860 Munich

Business isn't finished for the summer, but the chequebook is far from dusty.

A total of eight first team signings have come through the doors of PPG Canalside, plus keepers Luke Coddington and George Dorrington to work with the u21s.

This is a first chance to get a glimpse of Michael Hefele, Chris Loewe, Jack Payne, Ivan Paurevic, Joel Coleman, Elias Kachunga and record signing Christopher Schindler in the blue and white stripes.

Rajiv van la Parra, of course, has already worn them a few times while on loan.

Excited? Yes.

This has the potential to be a very different side to last season, but still shaped in the 4-2-3-1 Wagner philosophy.

After only a few days with a football to gel, we shouldn't expect the finished article, but here is where the journey begins for the new recruits.

Who wears the armband

Huddersfield Town skipper Mark Hudson

David Wagner has made no secret of the fact that he has targeted character this summer, wanting the personality to go with footballing skill.

Clearly the man has a love of leaders, with Loewe, Hefele and Schindler all having regular experience as club captains.

Mark Hudson is the current skipper at Town, but with a contract signed that allows for a transition to coaching for the 34-year-old, he won't be able to play every minute of the season.

So, who steps up in his place? With so many contenders it will be interesting to see who gets the nod from Wagner.

Guiseley could give us a hint with two different sides, one for each half, expected to take the field.

Chance for youngsters to make a mark

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Wagner has said he will be taking the senior squad to Guiseley, but with players only ready for 45 minutes apiece there would seem to be room for a few up-and-coming faces to make an appearance as well.

Joe Murphy is continuing his return from shoulder surgery so Coddington or Dorrington could travel, while the u21s will be hoping for a big season after triumphing in the Professional Development League play-off final.

Regan Booty, Jack Senior and Jack Boyle will be among those chomping at the bit to show what they can do.

Striking a balance

Elias Kachunga

The need for a new forward to offer some support for Nahki Wells was obvious, both to fans and to David Wagner.

The manager was in a position to do something about it, and Elias Kachunga is the result.

With every player in line for 45 minutes, it seems likely that these two won't play together but will feature in different halves.

That said, it should still give Town supporters an opportunity to see what different skills Kachunga has and how the two could be used as a pair should Town be chasing goals.

Memories of Mark Hudson up front against MK Dons are still fresh in the memory.

Kachunga should provide an alternative.

Players with plenty to prove

Sky Bet Championship -Blackburn Rovers (0) v Huddersfield Town (2) - Kyle Dempsey.

Every footballer reports for pre-season aware of the need to impress - new boss or not.

New signings will see to that, and Town have plenty of new ingredients eager to add as much as possible to David Wagner's recipe.

Philip Billing for example knows that Emyr Huws has gone, but Ivan Paurevic has arrived and Aaron Mooy is also set to join.

Chris Loewe ensures Jason Davidson will be planning for a royal ding dong battle at left back.

But the situations for a few are in sharper focus.

Tommy Smith, for example, has no obvious contender for the right back position currently but will know that Town are in the market.

He will be desperate to get a head start on whoever comes in.

And where does Kyle Dempsey fit now? Not considered a right back after the experiment last term, the midfield has added air of congestion after the summer recruitment.

Competition is fiercer than ever and it should be a fascinating watch over the weeks ahead.