HUDDERSFIELD Town assistant head coach Jon Stead says that Tuesday night's final EFL Trophy group game against visiting Liverpool under-21s will serve as a key part of preparation heading forward to the club's return to League One action against Leicester City on November 21.

Town's qualification for the next stage of the Trophy is already assured and only a hefty away win for Liverpool will deny them top spot in their particular group.

The Terriers are aiming to get back on track at the Accu Stadium after a surprise 2-1 FA Cup reverse to League Two outfit Exeter City last weekend.

It was the second in a run of four successive home games for Huddersfield, who are inactive this coming weekend with their scheduled league trip to Wycombe Wanderers called off due to international call-ups for Radinio Balker, Derensili Sanches Fernandes and Matty Young.

Huddersfield Town assistant coach Jon Stead. Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe

placeholder image — Huddersfield Town assistant coach Jon Stead. Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe

Balker's call-up by Suriname was confirmed on Monday.

Asked what he wanted to see from Town in Tuesday's meeting with the young Reds, Stead said: "I think it's just getting back to our identity and looking and feeling and showcasing what we've been about for 14 games. I think it's important that we show that and we show that it was just a moment in time rather than anything bigger (Saturday’s loss).

"We've got a squad where, with us not having the game on (this) Saturday, we can look towards the Leicester game and use these two games (Exeter and Liverpool under 21s) to make sure everybody's in the perfect position come Leicester, which would be a huge task for us.

"So, yes, of course, it's another game that we want to win. Martin (Drury) will stress that enough.

Huddersfield Town defender Radinio Balker. Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe

"We do not like losing games and it's not on our radar at any moment, no matter who we're playing. So, we look to address that. We look to be positive.

"We look to get the performance, looking and feeling back how it has done (before Exeter) and then we look to build on that. We have a busy, busy schedule.

"Just because there's a game called off actually means it's busier, because we make sure we've got the time now and we've got the opportunity to prep and be perfectly positioned to go and play Leicester.

"I think we've seen that the whole squad's going to be so important. I think that's really key and I think Saturday and then obviously tomorrow night, with us not having a (league) game like until Leicester, it gives us an opportunity to kind of mould those games and it's about us being in the best position we can be for the whole squad, come Leicester."