Team news and more ahead of this weekend’s clash at the Galpharm

Huddersfield Town v Stevenage (preview)

Saturday, October 8

Galpharm Stadium – 3pm k-o

Team news

Huddersfield will be without striker Jordan Rhodes who is on international duty with Scotland U21s. Rhodes scored two goals at Brentford last weekend taking his total to six in all competitions, two behind top scorer Lee Novak.

Jamie McCombe is also out of the clash. The centre-back is serving the last of a three-game suspension. Fellow defender Liam Cooper (back problem) is also out, leaving boss Lee Clark with just Peter Clarke and Antony Kay has his centre-back options.

Stevenage are likely to welcome back to the fold Darius Charles. The striker missed last weekend’s defeat to Scunthorpe United due to a knee sprain but managed 45 minutes at AFC Wimbledon in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy midweek.

Chris Beardsley has recovered from a back injury and also played at Wimbledon and is available for selection.

Still missing are Rob Sinclair (groin) and Don Cowan (knee), while Stacy Long, rested on Tuesday, is likely to return to the starting XI in place of Robin Shroot.

Recent form

Huddersfield are on a 36-game unbeaten league streak which stretches back to last season. Town beat Brentford 4-0 last weekend – their goal difference of +13 is the second best in the league – and are placed fifth in npower League 1.

Stevenage go into the clash on the back of three straight league defeats – Notts County, Carlisle United and Scunthorpe.

Boro are currently 14th in League 1, and their away form reads played five, won one, drawn two and lost two.

What Huddersfield say:

“The manager has been there a while now and they have a nucleus of players who have been there since the non-league days but have also freshened the squad up with more recent signings,” Peter Clarke told the Huddersfield Daily Examiner.

“They will give us a test, but it’s one we’re looking forward to and it gives us the chance to get over Tuesday [when Huddersfield lost to Bradford City in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy].”

What Stevenage say:

“They have had a fantastic time of it – they’re a top side in this league and have been for a vast period of time – and 36 league games they’ve gone unbeaten which is tremendous,” Westley told The Comet.

“But you have to remember not to play their record, of course, and you’ve got to play the players that turn up on the day. You’ve got to make sure it’s the weaknesses in opposition players you play against not the strengths or the record because that’s about the past.

“This group of players we’ve got here, they just love breaking records so it’s a tremendous opportunity for us.”

Likely starting XIs

Huddersfield (4-4-2): Bennett; Hunt, Woods, Clarke, Kay; Arfield, Roberts, Johnson, Robinson; Novak, Lee.

Stevenage (4-5-1): Day; Henry, Laird, Roberts, Ashton; Long, Mousinho, Bostwick, Byrom, Wilson; Reid.