After a busy summer in the transfer market, much was expected this season, but last weekend's defeat at home to Leicester City has left Town sitting in 17th place with nine points from as many games.

Tonight's trip to Darlington in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy does, however, offer a chance to boost morale by earning a berth in the third round.

Huddersfield reached the final of the competition under its previous guise of the Autoglass Trophy, but have crashed out at the first hurdle in the past three seasons. A bye in the opening round means the Terriers have already gone one better this time around and Ternent has pledged to put out a strong team tonight.

He said: "It represents the most realistic chance for teams at our level and the one below of getting to Wembley and earning a few quid.

"It is not on the radar initially but when you get towards the later stages of it, it becomes attractive. If we could get to Wembley, it would be marvellous. It would be a great day out for the fans and for the club."

Ian Craney is out after limping out of the Leicester defeat with a hamstring strain, but loanee Liam Dickinson can play after being given permission by parent club Derby County. Darlington's Pawel Abbott will miss out on a reunion with his former club due to injury.

Town will be hoping to take advantage of the air of apathy that has descended on Darlington after a slow start to the season with the attendance of 2,899 for Saturday's draw at home to Shrewsbury Town being the club's lowest since moving from Feethams to the Arena.