'˜We're fit to battle on two fronts' says Huddersfield Town boss David Wagner

The Terriers will travel to the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday, February 28 after the two sides fought out a goalless stalemate.

Last night’s quarter-final draw handed the winners of the replay an away tie at Middlesbrough.

Town had been due to travel to Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Championship a week tomorrow, but that game will now have to be rearranged.

Despite that, Wagner has no complaints about having to take on Pep Guardiola’s men again in Cup combat.

“I said in the dressing room after the game, ‘We are still in the Cup and that makes us happy’,” said the Town head coach.

“We will go to the Etihad Stadium, which is a great environment. A lot of people seem concerned about us having too many games, but we are fit enough. This squad is strong enough so one game more is not a problem.

“Anyway, I like having another game. The Etihad Stadium will be a great atmosphere for our fans.”

Town’s first appearance in a quarter-final draw for 45 years was richly deserved, the Championship side matching Guardiola’s men throughout in an absorbing contest.

Joel Coleman did make several impressive saves for the Terriers, but Claudio Bravo was also kept busy, particularly in a first half that saw Jack Payne’s free-kick kept out at full stretch before Rajiv van La Parra was also denied.

Philip Billing did get the ball in the Blues’ net, but the celebrations were cut short by an offside flag.

“We were up against a world-class team,” added Wagner. “Everyone can see we are one of the fittest teams in England.

“We got a draw and that is okay, even though I have to say Manchester City had the better opportunities.

“No one expected us to play them off the park so we did everything we could. We are very happy to have the rematch against a very good opponent when we can test ourselves again.”

Town’s performance justified Wagner’s decision to select what was effectively a second string XI.

Tomorrow night’s game with fellow promotion hopefuls Reading at the John Smith’s Stadium will see the Terriers’ chief bring back the likes of ineligible City loanee Aaron Mooy, City product Tommy Smith and striker Nahki Wells, but he had only praise for those who had performed so admirably in the Cup.

“There was never any doubt in my mind about the players who came in,” he said. “They have done this for me eight, nine or 10 times this season.

“But, of course, this was the strongest opponent we have played all season. So, that was something special because we were up against a world-class team.

“Even if I’d had all our players healthy, which wasn’t the case against Manchester City, I would have gone with exactly the same starting XI.

“I wanted to win this football match and this was an XI I thought we would have the biggest possibility to be successful.

“These players are very strong, very fit and are desperate. That was why I chose this XI and they totally deserved it.

“The only question was how they would look against an opponent like Manchester City, but they did well. They showed our identity against a top, top team.

“I had no concerns about my selection, these players totally deserved it. I believe in them and they believe in themselves.

“We have to use this game as another one for our confidence. We kept a clean sheet against Manchester City and really got into their faces, competing against them.

“Now, we recover and make sure we find the right starting XI for Reading. Again, I have no concerns we will not be on our highest level because our focus is strong enough.”

German central defenders Michael Hefele and Chris Schindler will return tomorrow night at the John Smith’s Stadium after recovering from stiff muscles incurred in last Tuesday’s derby win at Rotherham United.

Town remain third in the table, but now sit five points adrift of Newcastle United, who are in action tonight against Aston Villa.

Brighton moved to the top of the Championship with a 2-0 win at Barnsley on Saturday, while seventh-placed Norwich City suffered a shock reverse to Burton Albion.

Huddersfield Town FA Cup fifth-round special report 
and pictures: Page 3.