Huddersfield V Ipswich at John Smith's Stadium : Match Preview

22 February 2013 12:01
Huddersfield V Ipswich - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.


Terriers hopeful over Gerrard

Huddersfield are expected to welcome back Anthony Gerrard for the visit of Ipswich.

The defender was left on the bench in midweek as he was struggling with a slight Achilles problem and the Terriers were thrashed 6-1 by Nottingham Forest.

Boss Mark Robins will hope Gerrard's return to the side will help shore up the defence as he takes charge of his first home league game since replacing Simon Grayson at the John Smith's Stadium.

Robins has no other new injury problems ahead of his side's important fixture.

Huddersfield go into the game just one point behind their opponents, but only two points above the relegation zone.

Town remain without long-term absentees Jermaine Beckford (hamstring), Keith Southern (Achilles) and Danny Ward (broken metatarsal).

Richard Stearman is fit for Ipswich's trip despite badly dislocating a finger during Tuesday's defeat to Watford.

The defender played the full 90 minutes of the 2-0 loss before later tweeting a picture of his disfigured finger, which was eventually put back into place after a little difficulty.

Stearman, on loan from Wolves, has sat out of training for the rest of this week but will rejoin his team-mates ahead of the clash against a Huddersfield side who have lost 4-1 and 6-1 in Robins' first two games since taking charge.

Town boss Mick McCarthy has no other new injury or suspension concerns following the midweek defeat to the Hornets, for which midfielder Lee Martin started after a hamstring injury.

Goalkeeper Scott Loach was also back on the bench having recovered from a sprained thumb, leaving only long-term absentees Anthony Wordsworth (back) and Paul Taylor (foot) on the sidelines.

Source: PA