Grayson hoping to revive Beckford’s transfer

The Terriers thought a deal had been secured last Friday to bring the former Leeds United striker to the John Smith’s Stadium for the rest of the season.

However, Beckford’s club Leicester City pulled the plug with just five minutes of the summer transfer window remaining to leave Town high and dry.

With Jordan Rhodes having joined Blackburn Rovers the previous day in a deal that will guarantee the Yorkshire club £8m, missing out on Beckford came as a blow.

Grayson, though, admits that Huddersfield are likely to try to bring a striker in once the window opens with Beckford, who had travelled to Huddersfield last Friday on the understanding the deal would go through, still very much on the radar.

The Town manager last night told the Yorkshire Post: “We got very close with Jermaine so that was frustrating. We did think we had him after protracted negotiations.

“Word came through at 10.30pm on Friday that things would be fine but then it didn’t happen. It was disappointing but that is sometimes how the transfer deadline works.”

Any loan deal that goes through in the emergency window is restricted to a maximum of 93 days, meaning managers wanting to make an early move have to carefully time any moves or risk a signing returning to their club before the busy festive period.

Town chief Grayson said: “Missing out on Jermaine was a disappointment but we will look to the loan market again.

“In many ways, an emergency loan is not ideal.

“They can be recalled at short notice and can only stay for a certain amount of time. But sometimes needs must.

“I am sure there will be some discussions between the two clubs over Jermaine in the future as to whether anything can be done when the window opens.

“But we will also respect Leicester as, at the end of the day, we are talking about their player and it is their decision to make.

“It was a big deal for Huddersfield so it was great that the chairman backed me like he did. We were all disappointed but we move on and will see what the loan window might bring.”

Meanwhile, Paul Dixon has been called up to the Scotland squad for their World Cup qualifier double-header at Hampden Park against Serbia and Macedonia. The Town defender replaces Southampton’s Danny Fox, who has withdrawn after suffering a groin injury.