David Wagner reckons the recruitment of his compatriot Christian Löwe is step one in his drive to add quality to the Huddersfield Town squad this summer.

Confirmation of the arrival in July of the German left-back on a three-year contract has come as a boost after successive defeats by Sheffield Wednesday and Middlesbrough.

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The losses mean some supporters remain anxious about a possible relegation threat (Town are 18th in the Championship, eight points above the drop zone with six games to go).

But Wagner is relaxed as he prepares for Saturday’s visit of Hull City, the remainder of the current campaign and a key close-season.

On further signings for 2016-17, he said: “We have to be smart in our decisions - and quick as well, and we have long been planning.

“I am very confident. It will not be the final step in our development, but it will be the next step, which is important.

“The plan is simple. When players at the bottom of the squad leave, we make recruits who come in further up the squad.

Huddersfield Town manager David Wagner looks on during the Sky Bet Championship match at the Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough.

“This way we add quality and develop from window to window. It takes time, you go step by step, but we are going the right way.”

Middlesbrough left-back James Husband will be hoping to make a 10th Town start against Hull before his return to Teesside next week.

Wagner wants Town to tighten up defensively and find a sharper cutting edge as they face a promotion-chasing side for the third game running.

Town have yet to beat a team in the current top eight and the head coach said: “We have to take next opportunity to get points against one of them.

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“We want to win this game with our style and our identity.

“We want tempo and speed in our game, and I have to find the right starting side.”