Grayson gives Town players extra break

The Terriers squad will not report back until July 12, 10 days after Yorkshire rivals Hull City and more than a week on from Neil Warnock having met his Leeds United players for the first time following the summer break. A year ago, Lee Clark had his Huddersfield players back in on July 1.

Town’s first season in the Championship for 11 years kicks off on August 18 with a trip to Cardiff City, which will be preceded by a Capital One Cup firstround tie at Preston North End.

Grayson said: “We have decided to get the players back in on July 12, which is a week later than normal. The season kicking off later due to the Olympics has helped as it means even by coming back that bit later, we will still have five or so weeks ahead of the Championship starting.

“As a coaching staff, that is usually the length of time we work towards so we feel that is enough to do what we want to do.

“Getting to the play-off final meant our season ended a few weeks after most clubs and that also had to be taken into account, especially with some of the players having been involved in the play-offs for three consecutive years.”

Town, who clinched promotion to the Championship by beating Sheffield United on penalties after an energy-sapping two hours in the League One play-off final at Wembley on May 26, have added a trip to Hibernian to their pre-season programme with Grayson set to take his side north to Easter Road on Saturday, July 28 (kick-off 2pm).

The club also plan away friendlies at Guiseley (July 21), Crewe Alexandra (August 1), Oldham Athletic (August 4) and Chesterfield (August 7).