Leading scorer Nahki Wells and all-action midfielder Kyle Dempsey have every chance in training to recapture their starting slots with Huddersfield Town.
Head coach David Wagner is putting his squad through a double session at PPG Canalside on Tuesday and checking on those players who’ve been out injured.
After the 4-2 defeat at Brentford, Wagner is looking to find the right personnel to make an impact in the holiday games against Preston North End at home and QPR away.
“I was pleased with both Nahki and Kyle (at Brentford),” said Wagner, who will check on injured trio Jonathan Hogg (hip), Emyr Huws (hamstring) and returning Phil Billing (ankle), along with long-term knee injury victim Dean Whitehead.
“It was a game where we were able to give something positive from the bench again. This is part of our plan, but it isn’t in the plan to be 3-0 down at half-time before we bring the subs on the field.
“We have to make sure the game is open when this happens, otherwise we cannot change the game.
“Nahki got an assist and had two really good chances he missed. Kyle was very energetic and he scored his first goal for us, so there was positive energy.”
Billing has now recovered from his knock and senior development coach Frankie Bunn, whose side extended their unbeaten run to 12 with a 3-2 stadium win over Barnsley, reckons he’s ready to step up.
“Philip will hopefully go straight back into the first team and that’s what we’re here for, as a vehicle for them to put in performances and hopefully get in the first-team environment,” said Bunn.
“The likes of Duane (Holmes) playing back-to-back games, Philip was involved against Leeds, Flo has been in and around the side and that’s hopefully something the others can emulate.
“They’ve seen where people are going and how they’re doing and they want a bit of that themselves.
“The way you do that is by performing in whatever game you’re playing or whatever training session you’re taking part in.”
