Huddersfield Town boss Mark Robins hailed the performance of teenager Duane Holmes but was left disappointed by Town’s Capital One Cup exit.

The 18-year-old made his first-team bow as a 49th-minute substitute in last night’s 1-0 defeat at Premier League Hull.

There were full debuts for striker Danny Carr and defender Tommy Smith as the manager, mindful of Friday’s Championship date with Blackpool, made 10 changes.

Hull’s former Town boss Steve Bruce made nine changes, and saw his side go through thanks to Nick Proschwitz’s 59th-minute goal.

“I was pleased with a number of our younger lads, and Duane in particular,” said Robins after a game watched by 7,151, including 955 Town fans.

“He showed the kind of bright spark I was looking for and carved out a few opportunities for himself.

Danny Carr also did that in the first half, and Tommy Smith put in a strong performance and gained some vital experience.

“It was also good to see Keith Southern back after his injury, and he got a valuable 90 minutes under his belt.

“He and Oscar Gobern did good work in terms of winning the ball back, and I thought Ollie Norwood worked his socks off in midfield.

Oliver Norwood
Oliver Norwood

“But as a team, I thought we played within ourselves, and we needed to show more bravery. But it’s a learning curve, and we need to give players on the periphery opportunities like this.”

Robins is hopeful knee injury victim Joel Lynch will be fit to face Blackpool, and added: “The proximity of that game had a big effect on my thinking in terms of selection.”

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