LEE CLARK is desperately hoping Huddersfield stays free of frost as he starts the build-up to Sunday’s big FA Cup tie at Arsenal.

The Galpharm manager, whose side are third in League I after their 0-0 home draw against Colchester, has a series of fitness top-up sessions planned for the early part of this week.

Town, without 16-goal top scorer Jordan Rhodes for at least a month because of an ankle injury suffered on Saturday, have had four midweek matches running.

But they now have six clear days before heading to the Emirates Stadium for the eagerly-awaited fourth-round tie against Arsene Wenger’s men, for whom Dutch master Robin van Persie scored a hat trick in their 3-0 home win over Wigan on Saturday.

“We’ll be having a series of football-physical sessions,” explained Clark, who will head to North London to watch Arsenal first hand when they aim to reach the Carling Cup final at the expense of Ipswich tomorrow.

“We’ll be doing ballwork in small-sided areas to top-up our fitness, and it’s something we’ve not been able to do for a while because of midweek games and before that, bad weather.

“It’s important to be able to get onto grass, because you can’t work for too long on hard indoor surfaces because of the risk of jarring, so we’re hoping temperatures stay above freezing.

“We’ll recuperate in the middle of the week then get down to the business of preparing to take on some of the best players in world football at one of the best arenas going.

“We’re massive underdogs, of course we are, but we have to go there, fight tooth and nail and make sure they know they’ve been in a game.

“We want to put on a show for everyone connected with Huddersfield Town.”

Arsenal have yet to confirm whether on-loan striker Benik Afobe can feature for Town.

Have your say on Huddersfield Town with other fans and Examiner HTAFC reporter Doug Thomson in our webchat between 12.30pm and 1.30pm today.

Vent your spleen on Carlisle, talk abour Colchester and have a look forward to Arsenal - click here to be taken to the webchat.