Huddersfield v Carlisle preview

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Huddersfield skipper Peter Clarke will return to contention for Friday night’s match at home.

Clarke missed the Boxing Day win over Chesterfield due to a one-game ban and manager Lee Clark must decide whether to recall him or retain Antony Kay alongside Alex Bruce in central defence.

Town could also be boosted by the return of winger Danny Ward, who missed out on Monday due to a knee injury, but defender Calum Woods remains sidelined after turning his ankle recently during training.

Fellow defender Liam Ridehalgh has been recalled early from his loan spell at Swindon and is expected to return to the squad, while Clark has no other new injury or suspension problems.

Goalkeeper Alex Smithies (knee) and midfielder Damien Johnson (hamstring) remain long-term absentees as fifth-placed Huddersfield look to keep pace with the top two.

Meanwhile, Carlisle will be without striker Rory Loy.

Loy broke his leg in the Boxing Day draw at Preston and is recovering in Royal Preston Hospital following surgery on Tuesday night.

Midfielder Liam Noble, on loan from Sunderland, replaced Loy at Preston, but striker Paddy Madden could come into contention with manager Greg Abbott to decide whether to retain Francois Zoko up front alongside Lee Miller.

Noble’s current loan spell will expire after the game at Sheffield United on January 2.

On-loan defender Christian Ribeiro is hoping to return to the starting XI in his penultimate game for the Cumbrians before returning to Bristol City, but Frank Simek has started the last two matches at full-back.

Manager Greg Abbott has no other new injury or suspension problems as Carlisle look to climb into the top six before the end of the year.

Huddersfield v Carlisle preview

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Danny Cadamarteri could make his first home appearance for Huddersfield following his return in the second leg of the northern area final with Carlisle.

Striker Cadamarteri joined Dundee United from Town in the summer, but has returned to the club following his release from the Scottish club and made his second debut in Saturday’s win at Exeter.

Town, beaten 4-0 in the first leg at Brunton Park three weeks ago, have no new injury or suspension problems.

But goalkeeper Alex Smithies (knee), defenders Tamas Kadar (hamstring) and Liam Ridehalgh (glandular fever), midfielders Tom Clarke (ankle) and Damien Johnson (knee) and strikers Jordan Rhodes (ankle) and Benik Afobe (knee) are all still sidelined.

Carlisle could be without skipper Paul Thirlwell and on-loan defenders Joe Dudgeon and Liam Cooper at Huddersfield.

The Cumbrians are leading 4-0 from the first leg at Brunton Park three weeks ago, but midfielder Thirlwell (calf), Manchester United youngster Dudgeon (knee) and Sunderland teenager Cooper (hand) are all expected to be sidelined.

Ben Marshall, on loan from Stoke, has fractured a bone in his hand, but is currently able to play, while fellow striker Rory Loy, a permanent signing from Rangers, could make his first start for the club after stepping off the bench to make his debut in Saturday’s home defeat to Walsall.

Deadline-day signing Paddy Madden, from Bohemians, also made his debut as a second-half substitute on Saturday and is expected to feature again.

Huddersfield v Carlisle preview

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Tom Clarke was forced out of Sunday’s FA Cup clash at Arsenal after taking a knock and is doubtful, but Huddersfield have been boosted by the return of defender Gary Naysmith to the first-team squad.

Naysmith, who has made only four appearances for Town due to a toe injury since arriving from Sheffield United in the summer, was included in the squad at the Emirates Stadium and could feature. The Terriers will still be without goalkeeper Alex Smithies (knee), midfielder Damien Johnson (knee), striker Jordan Rhodes (ankle) and defenders Tamas Kadar (hamstring), Liam Ridehalgh (illness) and Leigh Franks (hamstring).

But teenage striker Benik Afobe, on loan from Arsenal, is back in contention after not being allowed to play against his parent club on Sunday.

Carlisle are expected to include new striker Rory Loy in their squad for the game. The 22-year-old signed from Rangers in a permanent deal on Friday and is now available.

Another recent loan signing, Joe Dudgeon from Manchester United, made his first appearance for the Cumbrians in Saturday’s 2-2 home draw with Oldham, stepping off the bench at half-time, and could force his way into the starting line-up.

Midfielder Paul Thirlwell came through the second 45 minutes unscathed and will want to play a bigger role, while central defender Danny Livesey is hoping to make his third appearance of the season following a long-term groin injury.

French midfielder Marc-Antoine Gbarssin is pushing for a place in Greg Abbott’s starting line-up.