Brighton v Huddersfield Town: David Wagner aims to get Terriers flying again

The Terriers’ FA Cup hopes were derailed in midweek by a 5-2 hammering at Reading, the 26th-minute dismissal of Jonathan Hogg for a professional foul when the Yorkshire club led by two goals proving pivotal.

Wagner was hugely disappointed by how his side performed with 10 men but, on the back of a five-game unbeaten run in the Championship, the Town head coach remains positive.

“We know why we lost, and we know we must become better at dealing with the few occasions when we will be a man less than the opposition,” said Wagner about the Cup exit. “But this is another game and we want to win to bring a better position in the table.

“We recognise that there is a good atmosphere around the club. But, for me, the more important thing is the atmosphere in the dressing room. I feel that the lads are confident because they know they can correct any mistake they make. In the past, we have always shown the right reaction.

“In the end, though, atmosphere doesn’t win a game. We must make sure we have full focus and concentration on what we will do in this game.”

Town, as was the case with Tuesday’s Cup tie at Reading, flew to Brighton in an attempt to prevent fatigue setting in among the players from two long trips inside four days. Dean Whitehead is likely to return to the starting line-up in place of the suspended Hogg, Wagner insisting the midfielder was only substituted 50 minutes after coming off the bench due to not having played since December 5.