Joel Lynch reckons the way he felt after his first Huddersfield Town match under David Wagner reflects the effectiveness of the German’s tough training regime.

The 28-year-old centre-back admits he’s had the odd moan about the extra hours the players have been putting in since Wagner’s arrival on November 5.

But he realised the value of regular double sessions as he reflected on Tuesday’s valuable 2-0 home Championship win over Rotherham United.

It was the Wales international’s first game since the 2-2 draw at Reading in what was Chris Powell’s final match as manager on November 3.

Having picked up his fifth caution of the campaign, the former Nottingham Forest man was hit by a one-match ban against Leeds United.

But he would have missed the John Smith’s Stadium derby in any case because of the hamstring injury which kept him out of a further four games.

Sky Bet Championship - Huddersfield Town (4) v Bolton Wanderers (1) - Joel Lynch goal.

The absence was extra frustrating because Lynch had played in every minute of every match up to the final whistle at the Madejski Stadium.

“I hate being injured and it was great to get back the other night,” said the Eastbourne-born player who began at Brighton and Hove Albion.

“Whenever I am out, I am always thinking about that first game back and stressing myself out over whether I will get through it.

“It all went well, I didn’t feel the injury at all and in terms of overall fitness, I felt better than I have for a while.

“That has to be down to the training I have been doing, and although I am more of a moaner than most, I have felt the benefits first hand.

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“I actually felt okay to play a couple of weeks ago, but the coach wanted to get me right up to speed in terms of fitness and how we play.

“Both the training regime and the style of play are different to what I have encountered before, but I am enjoying things.

“As a defender, you get on the ball more, and take responsibility for passing, but the system means there are always options.

“It’s all about movement, which helps keep possession, and the fitter we are, the better and longer we will be able to do it.

“It will take time to perfect, and we will have to be patient as we work at getting the tactics right, but we have won twice under the coach and that’s encouraging.

“With the midfielders we have got, they are always going to generate chances if we can get the ball to them.

“I thought that showed in long spells against Rotherham, and when they had a spell of pressure, we defended strongly.

“The clean sheet was a real plus along with the result, and the more of them we get, the better.”

Lynch is hoping to make a 106th Town appearance at Brentford – and even add to his eight-goal tally.

Fans were shouting ‘shoot’ as he pushed forward during the first half, but the effort went just wide.

“Lee Camp (the Rotherham keeper) is a good mate of mine from when we were at Forest together, and I’d told him I’d have a go at goal,” he smiled. “But I’d rather he’d have had to make the save!”