Reece James could go toe to toe with his Manchester United teammate Will Keane when Huddersfield Town return to Championship action after the international break.

Next Saturday’s hosts Sheffield Wednesday were unable to add to their squad ahead of last Thursday’s Football League loan deadline.

But their on-loan Old Trafford striker Keane is back in training after a knee injury and in line to feature for Stuart Gray’s 12th-placed side.

Town are 18th, six places and nine points behind Wednesday and desperate for a first win in seven at a ground which has witnessed some eventful meetings between the sides in recent seasons.

And they have been boosted by the arrival of 21-year-old left-back James, who has impressed United boss Louis van Gaal sufficiently to earn a new deal.

The Dutch manager took James on United’s pre-season tour.

And he scored twice in van Gaal’s first match in charge, a 7-0 win over LA Galaxy.

James was an unused substitute for United’s first three Premier League games this time around.

And he made his competitive United debut in the shock 4-0 Capital One Cup second-round defeat at MK Dons.

James then went on loan to Rotherham United, making eight appearances and figuring against Town in the 2-2 Boxing Day draw in South Yorkshire.

It was the Bacup-born player’s second spell away from United, with last season’s stint at Carlisle United interrupted by injury.

Now he’ll be aiming to make the most of his time at Town, who have seven games to go and were eager to replace knee injury victim Jack Robinson, himself on loan from QPR.

It took James two attempts to earn a deal at Old Trafford.

He has an unsuccessful trial at 14, and was then released by Preston North End at 18.

Persistence paid off as James, whose brother Matty was with United before joining current club Leicester City, finally won over the Red Devils coaching staff.

Having initially impressed for the Under 18s, he has progressed with the Under 21s, who are coached by Warren Joyce.

A Premier League bow is his ambition – and he knows his time at Town could be very helpful in achieving that aim.

Reece James’ arrival comes 45 years after Huddersfield Town made their first-ever loan signing – also a full-back from Manchester United.

Scotsman Willie Watson came to Leeds Road to provide back-up for the closing stages of the 1969-70 Second Division title-winning campaign.

Town boss Ian Greaves, a former United player, explained of the 20-year-old: “I think he’s my most important signing since becoming manager.

“He’s only a stone’s throw away from the Manchester United side and he is a good player in the making.

“Willie can help us and at the same time the experience he can gain here will be extremely valuable to him when he returns to Old Trafford.”

In the event, he didn’t make a first-team appearance, but only because a home clash with Swindon Town was postponed due to a frozen pitch.

With regular right-back Dennis Clarke ruled out by a shin injury, Watson was in line to face the Wiltshire side.

By the time the next match came around, Clarke was fit again and was on the teamsheet to maintain his ever-present record.

Watson went on to make 14 United appearances, facing Town in a 1-1 top-flight draw at Old Trafford the following season.

After leaving United in 1973, he had spells with Motherwell, his hometown club, and Dundee before playing for Phoenix Inferno in the USA.