Grayson aiming to do Sheridan a big favour

CONSIDERING a record in play-off football that reads played seven on home soil and won none, Huddersfield Town could be forgiven for wanting the decisive leg of their League One semi-final to be as far away from the Galpharm Stadium as possible.

Simon Grayson, however, would love to be able to book a trip to Wembley via a second leg victory in front of the club’s loyal fans as a thank you for their support.

Town travel to Walsall today hoping to build on last week’s victory over Scunthorpe United, a result that means Grayson’s men are level on 77 points with Milton Keynes Dons – the side they are guaranteed to face in the semi-finals.

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The Dons go into today’s penultimate round of games ahead of the Terriers due to a superior goal difference.

Like Huddersfield, who host Yeovil Town on the final day, Karl Robinson’s side also have two eminently winnable matches with today bringing a trip to relegated Rochdale and then a home game with Walsall at stadium:mk.

Grayson said: “It is a big game for Walsall and all the other teams around them. (Chesterfield manager) John Sheridan is a big friend of mine and he is desperate for us to win.

“From our own point of view, we want to keep wining games to ensure we finish the season as strongly as possible. Everyone ideally wants to have the second leg at home but there is no definite route to the final.

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“Teams have gone up from fifth and sixth many times over the years. In terms of our own fans, though, it would be great to go through to Wembley at home as they deserve something like that.”

Kallum Higginbotham, signed by Grayson’s predecessor Lee Clark, is likely to be involved today at the Bescot Stadium after being recalled from a loan spell at Barnsley.

The Town manager said: “We want as many options as possible going into the play-offs. We sent Kallum out because he wasn’t playing many games.

“He has done well at Barnsley and we feel this is the right time to bring him back.

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“We want to look at a couple of players in match situations. I have seen most of them in action but a couple more could come into the equation before the play-offs get under way in a couple of weeks’ time.”