Huddersfield Town boss on Owen Goodman and Leo Castledine plus updates on Sean Roughan and Joe Low
HUDDERSFIELD Town manager Lee Grant admits that he sympathises with loan keeper Owen Goodman following his frustrating time at the club - with the situation regarding his future remaining fluid.
Speculation has suggested that the 22-year-old will return early to Premier League outfit Crystal Palace, with the Eagles tipped to trigger a recall clause.
Goodman has made 12 appearances for Town in all competitions in 2025-26, with his last one being on November 29.
Grant, whose side are due to visit Stockport County on Saturday, said: "I think it’s tough for Owen, because I love him and brought him in because our feeling is that he’s going to have a tremendous career and hope, of course, as well, that he’ll be incredibly important for what we’re trying to do this year now.
"Right now, I’ve got to say, I’ve been delighted with Lee (Nicholls), so that’s going to put Owen in a situation where he’s going to be frustrated and perhaps looking at ‘how can I affect my situation?’ — because you have to be selfish about your own career and situation.
"Me and Owen are in constant conversation, in all honesty, on how that looks and how that will play out, and I’ve got to be fair to Owen, and I’ve also got to be right by what’s right for us as a football club.
"So again, it probably falls into that category of a situation that I’m alive to and ready to react if and when necessary."
Another big talking point has been the future of another loanee in Leo Castledine, with the outstanding form of the attacking midfielder having drawn reported interest from several Championship clubs.
Some reports suggest he could be recalled by his parent club Chelsea and then sold on, with Town understandably hoping that proves not to be the case.
"The answer is, all of that is external to my control, so I don’t put a great deal of stress or emotion into that". Grant said.
"What I do put my stress and energy into is working with everybody, of course Leo included, helping him, making sure that he retains his importance to the team, and that’s how I’ll continue to play it."
Sean Roughan is unlikely to be involved this weekend after coming off with a groin issue at half-time in Sunday's draw with Exeter City. Grant confirmed: "It’s going to be difficult for Sean Roughan.
"Other than that, I think we’re in a good place. We’re pushing with one or two as well. So we’re pushing with Mickel Miller, Marcus McGuane and we’re pushing with Josh Feeney, so obviously that was pleasing. So, we’re in a decent place."
On whether Joe Low could be involved, with the big defender having missed the club's last two matches with muscle stiffness, he said: "That’ll be right to the wire, that one."