Exeter City V Huddersfield Town: Town relishing challenge of hectic schedule – Clark

The Terriers make the long trip to Exeter City with a couple of niggling injuries caused, according to their manager, by having to play twice in just three days this week.

Town performed admirably in both games – the 2-1 defeat to Arsenal and a 2-0 win over Carlisle United – and Clark believes that is an indication of how much his side relish a challenge.

He said: "They are footballers and love playing football. That is why the lads thrive on the challenge of a busy schedule.

"I chose to have a lean squad but one with quality and currently that philosophy is being tested because we are picking up one or two injuries.

"A couple of those were as a result of playing two games with only a day of rest in between.

"When you play against a team like Arsenal, you are going to do an unbelievable amount of running – which is the reason why we have picked up a couple of fatigue injuries."

Town make the long trip to Devon as the only team in League One still unbeaten since the turn of the year.

Of those five outings, four have been won with Colchester United's goalless draw at the Galpharm Stadium a fortnight ago being the only blemish for Huddersfield.

Despite that, Clark insists his side must be wary ahead of taking on an Exeter side who triumphed 1-0 in West Yorkshire on November 20.

He said: "I don't believe Exeter receive the credit they deserve for what they are doing. They are competing fantastically well in League One and have the ability to take points off any team.

"We know that they are a tough team to beat on home soil. They defend for their lives and have the ability to score goals.

"I have only been to St James' Park once during my days in football and, like all grounds in League One, it is a tough place to go. If we are not at the races then we will probably end up getting defeated."

Danny Cadamarteri could make his second bow for Town after re-joining the club just hours before the transfer deadline closed on Monday but Benik Afobe is out with a knee infection.

The loanee, who has also been withdrawn from England Under-19s duty, has been given a series of injections to clear up the problem and ordered to rest.