Cardiff City v Huddersfield Town: Clark aiming for another memorable night

The Terriers travel to South Wales looking to earn a place in the Carling Cup third round for the first time since the 2003-04 season.

Despite not having progressed beyond the early stages during the past six seasons, Town have still enjoyed some memorable nights in the competition with the trips to Everton and Newcastle United in the past two seasons standing out.

Ahead of Huddersfield’s first trip to Cardiff’s new stadium, Clark said: “We are looking forward to it. I went to watch them on Wednesday against Brighton.

“They have a magnificent stadium, a great pitch and some talented players with a good young manager.

“It will be a tough game but we are looking forward to it. We are aiming to give a good account of ourselves and trying to make progress.

“It is definitely a chance to test ourselves against higher opposition, that is why I take it so importantly in the early rounds when you play teams that are in and around you.

“We have had some fantastic nights in the League Cup against Newcastle (when Town lost 4-3 in 2009) and Everton. We were only 2-1 down against Everton last year when it was 11 versus 11. It wasn’t until Lee Peltier got sent off that we lost our way in the game.

“We know Cardiff are very close to being a Premier League club so this is a great test and one my players are going to look forward to. It is a chance to perform in a terrific stadium and in front of what will, hopefully, be a big and passionate crowd.

“We are going there to win but we know it is not going to be easy.”

Midfield man Oscar Gobern is expected to return to the Terriers squad after being rested for last Saturday’s first League One victory of the season at home to Colchester United, but Damien Johnson will again be missing even though the midfielder has returned to training.

Town are expected to give Johnson a runout in a behind closed doors friendly before handing him a second ‘debut’ for the club.

Clark added: “The players haven’t had a midweek off but that comes with being successful. We have the Johnstone Paints (next week) and that is a competition we take seriously.”

Last six games: Cardiff City LWWWLD, Huddersfield Town LDWDDW.

Referee: J Linington (Isle of Wight).

Last time: Cardiff City 4 Huddersfield Town 0; December 29, 2002; Division Three.