David Wagner says he is looking forward to working with Philip Billing.

The Danish teenager is set to return to full training after an ankle injury.

Billing picked up the problem early in Huddersfield Town's home Championship derby against Leeds United last month.

It was the midfielder’s second Town start and fourth appearance in all.

Head coach Wagner watched the game from the directors’ box before officially starting work.

“Phil is progressing well, and it will be good to have another options,” he said of the 19-year-old.

“This will be the first time I have worked with him on the training pitch.

“It will be interesting to see how fast he understands what I want from him.

“I think he is football intelligent and will pick things up fast.

“He impressed me against Leeds and I like what I have seen of him on film.”

Town signed the Denmark junior international from Esbjerg in 2013.

He is contracted to 2013, with the club having the option of a further year.

Manchester’s Chris Kavanagh will referee Town’s Boxing Day home clash with Preston North End.

It will be Preston manager Simon Grayson’s fist return to he John Smith’s Stadium since he was sacked as Town manager in January 2013.

Town Under 21s have another Monday afternoon date at the John Smith’s Stadium.

This time it’s a Professional Development League II clash with Barnsley (1.00).

Frankie Bunn’s in-form development side will be chasing a 12th straight win.

Middlesbrough were beaten 2-1 in the first round of the Under 21 Premier League Cup a fortnight ago.

That set up a second-round trip to either Southampton or Chelsea, who clash on the South coast on Wednesday, January 6.

Admission against Barnsley is £2 for season card holders and concessions and £4 otherwise.

The Under 18s beat Bolton Wanderers 5-1 in their PDL II clash at PPG Canalside.