Bristol City v Huddersfield Town: Izzy Brown is hoping to stay with Terriers '“ at the top level

Huddersfield Towns Izzy Brown, previously on loan at Rotherham United, skips past Will Vauks during last months game (Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe).Huddersfield Towns Izzy Brown, previously on loan at Rotherham United, skips past Will Vauks during last months game (Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe).
Huddersfield Towns Izzy Brown, previously on loan at Rotherham United, skips past Will Vauks during last months game (Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe).
Izzy Brown already has his ideal scenario for next season all mapped out.

Huddersfield Town supporters can rest assured that it involves both the Premier League and the blue-and-white stripped jersey of the Terriers – if things go to plan, at any rate.

Even accounting for an astonishing campaign for third-placed Town – who visit Bristol City tonight – plenty still needs to happen for the club to reach the promised land and secure top-flight football for the first time since 1971-72. But it does no harm to dare to dream.

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Given Brown’s tumultuous season that has seen the Chelsea loanee swap a grim relegation fight at Rotherham United for a promotion tilt at the big time across the border in West Yorkshire, anything is surely possible.

He has just earned his first call-up to the England Under-21s squad, for away games with Germany (March 24) and Denmark (March 27).

Whatever happens at the end of it, the 20-year-old will return to Stamford Bridge as someone whose life experiences and professional career have been enhanced by his time in the Broad Acres.

After proving himself consummately in the Championship, the next natural step for Brown is dipping his toes in the Premier League, most likely out on loan again in 2017-18.

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And he knows where he would like that destination to be if the cards fall into place.

Brown, who switched between White Rose clubs in January – after being called back by Chelsea from a season-long loan at Rotherham to sample experience at the top end of the Championship – said: “The Premier League is always the dream.

“Obviously, at Chelsea, it is difficult to break through into the first team – everyone knows how hard it is.

“My ideal scenario would be for Huddersfield to get to the Premier League and I come back here next season.

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“Every game is like a cup final and we know that if we win all the remainder of the games, then you never know what can happen.

“We are always confident going into every game as we believe that we have amazing players in the group that have proved it in the Championship.”

This confidence is certainly well-placed with Town having shown ample evidence to suggest that they will be there when the prizes are handed out later this Spring.

Town are clearly intent upon sticking around, as was shown by way of successive wins over Brentford and Aston Villa, just when some were ready to pen their obituaries regarding the club’s top-two quest following a 3-1 home loss to Newcastle United on March 4.

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High-class victories over the likes of Brighton, Leeds United and Norwich City – not to mention their early-season win at St James’ Park – have displayed the merits of arguably the division’s individual story of the season and others besides.

Another chance to showcase Town’s collective talents to a watching TV audience arrives at Ashton Gate tonight, on an occasion when head coach David Wagner’s side can move within three points of Newcastle and Brighton, and Brown has a firm message for any doubters.

Brown, who locks horns with Chelsea team-mate and good friend Tammy Abraham this evening, said: “It is always a good feeling when people doubt you and say you are going to drop off and they think like that and then you keep going week-in, week-out, winning games and three points keep pushing you up the table.

“It is a great feeling proving some people wrong and that is what we have been doing so far and hopefully we can keep it up.”

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After sampling life at the bottom of the Championship with the Millers, Brown is understandably embracing every aspect of life at the top end and knows what experience he prefers.

This said, his time at Rotherham and his cultivation of a strong bond with Millers chief Paul Warne is something he will always treasure and never forget.

On his indebtedness to Warne, who cast aside his disappointment at losing Brown to wish him well in his promotion quest with Town, added: “We still talk from time to time and, after we played them, he texted me and it is always good to see him as he helped me a lot.

“I was out of the team for three games when the new manager (Kenny Jackett) came in and he (Warne) was the one who told me to keep sticking at it and fighting in training. There is a downside of football and he helped me to get back up and he has helped me a lot.

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“He is a good guy and always wants the best for his players. It is difficult to see how Rotherham are doing, because he is a great guy. But I am sure he wants the best for me.”

Last six games: Bristol City LDLDDW Huddersfield WDLLWW.

Referee: D Coote (West Yorkshire).

Last time: Bristol City 4 Huddersfield 0; April 30, 2016; Championship.

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