Huddersfield Town 2 Blackburn 4: Terriers clear route for Rhodes to excel

The 24-year-old Scotland international, who left Huddersfield in August 2012 for a club record £8m, helped end Blackburn’s three-match losing run.

Rhodes wore the captain’s armband and left with the match ball after shattering a lean spell of just one goal in 11 matches.

Robins commented: “Jordan Rhodes has been on a lean spell, but we seem to have forgotten he is no longer a team-mate. He is a great finisher but we have given him the goals.”

Robins warned that his players needed to guard against complacency.

“Everybody is saying we are safe, but we have to keep on playing and make sure we don’t slip up,” he said. “We talk about wanting to get to the next level, but we have to consolidate our position. I need performances to show me how much work I need to do in the summer and after this game it looks like a lot.”

Rhodes put Blackburn ahead in the fourth minute but Adam Hammill levelled.

Rhodes restored the lead early in the second half before Craig Conway cashed in on a blunder by goalkeeper Alex Smithies.

Nahki Wells ended his own goal drought with a first in 10 matches to give Town hope at 3-2, but Adam Clayton was caught in possession and Rhodes completed his treble.

Huddersfield Town: Smithies, Smith, Clarke, Wallace, Hammill (Bunn 90), Clayton, Norwood (Scannell 68), Hogg, Dixon, Ward (Vaughan 68), Wells. Unused substitutes: Woods, Gobern, Bennett, Southern.

Blackburn Rovers: Robinson, Lowe (Kane 26), Keane, Kilgallon, Spurr, Evans, Dunn (Taylor 74), Williamson, Conway, Rhodes, Gestede (Varney 34). Unused substitutes: Eastwood, Olsson, Feeney, Dabo.

Referee: Mick Russell (Hertfordshire).

Man of the match: Jordan Rhodes.