COACH Dan Hyde is pinning his hopes on Jon Coles returning from Devon to continue where he left off in last week’s excellent win at Luctonians when his Huddersfield team entertain Otley in a Christmas derby tomorrow at Lockwood Park (3.00).
Coles, a fellow University student at Huddersfield, along with Jack Moon and Niall Murphy, impressed boss Hyde seven days ago when helping the team grab only their second win of the season.
“A No10 needs time with his side to run through moves and become familiar with his three-quarters, and unfortunately Jon hasn’t had that time,” admitted Hyde.
“But he still impressed last week at Luctonians, when he looked in control and took a number of very good options, and I’m hoping he gets back in time to carry on.
“I think we now have that monkey off our backs, we’ve got points on the board, and now we need to take the team spirit we showed last week into tomorrow’s game against Otley.”
Should Coles not return in time, for what is Huddersfield’s final game of 2012 before the festive break, then the half-back pairing is likely to be juggled between Joel Hinchliffe, Chris Duffy and Scott Benton.
Hyde is going with a new centre combination of Lee Paxman, who is available this week and newcomer Rob Meakins, a try-scorer against Luctonians, with Luke Booth and Jack Moon on the flanks.
The coach is also pleased to see some extra cover in the front row available this week after both Lawrence Sanderson and Ben Bell missed the trip to Herefordshire, and go on the bench, while Tony Stringwell and Alex Battye join Murphy in the starting line-up.
Another player on the bench will be centre Mike Clarke although he is due for a late fitness test, after picking up an injury against Luctonians.
“I really believe we are turning the corner, both as individuals and as a team, but we need to stay focused and keep believing in each other,” added Hyde.
Huddersfield: (from): Owen, Moon, Meakins, Paxman, Booth; Coles, Benton, Duffy, Hinchliffe; Stringwell Murphy, Battye, N Rhodes, G Rhodes, Hoyle, Lewis, Sharpe. Subs: (from) Bell, Sanderson, Hyde, Clarke, Knight, Duffy, Benton.
