TOWN boss Lee Clark is hoping to have Anthony Pilkington back in action for tomorrow night’s away clash with high-riding Milton Keynes Dons.

The midfielder picked up an ankle injury and was substituted in the dying minutes of Saturday’s 2-1 home defeat at the hands of Millwall.

Pilkington had been impressive and had laid on Gary Roberts’ 74th minute goal, but his departure saw the home side fade and – for the third time in eight days – a late goal saw points squandered in the push for a play-off place.

James Henry hit the injury-time Lions winner, after they had been given the lead by Marc Laird, and Clark was left frustrated.

The Town boss went into the game without defender Nathan Clarke (knee) and striker Danny Cadamarteri (calf), but was optimistic that Pilkington would not be added to the list.

“Anthony just picked up a slight twist of his ankle,” explained Clark.

“He took a kick and, while we are not sure yet, hopefully he should be okay for MK Dons.”

Clark was quick to praise the 20-year-old’s performance and said: “I have a wonderful player in Anthony and I think he showed his ability in our equalising goal.

“It was a bit of a blow for us when he picked up that ankle problem. He had to come off and we had to re-jig the team a little bit.

“I felt that he had been causing Millwall a lot of problems. He is a very intelligent footballer because he knows when to pass and when to take men on.

“Losing him did rob us of some firepower.”

Nathan Clarke and Cadamarteri look unlikely to be back in time for tomorrow’s journey south.

“Nathan is still the same as he was,” said Clark.

“We have had his knee scanned and there is a bit of a problem there. He could be out for anything for a week to possibly a couple of weeks.

“Unfortunately Danny’s situation is one I don’t like players being in.

“I don’t want players coming back for a game and a half and then go missing again for two or three games.

“I have said before that I will not jeopardise any player’s long-term future by playing them for short-term gain.

“But Danny really hasn’t played enough games for Huddersfield Town because there have been too many injuries. It’s not an ideal scenario.”