Manager David Wagner issues challenge to top Huddersfield Town prospect Duane Holmes

The exciting American attacker scored his first senior goal with a scrappy and perhaps rather fortuitous effort in Tuesday’s 5-0 mauling of Charlton Athletic.

However, pacey Holmes had also shown his promise with some surging runs that caused chaos in the visitors’ ranks after coming on in the second period.

At 21, the Town academy product has made 25 appearances for the West Yorkshire club, mainly from the bench.

The Charlton game was his fifth of the season but first since the 4-2 loss at Brentford on December 17, the improving Terriers’ one defeat in the last seven outings.

Wagner believes Holmes has a big future with the Championship club and said: “Duane is a very great talent we have.

“He has some movements and qualities I haven’t seen very often. But he shows us in training much more often than in the game.

“This is what I have to help him with – that he can show in the game as well – as in training he does some things that are very special.”

Improving Holmes’s mindset is something the German is keen on addressing.

“We have to help him to be able to demonstrate (his skills) in a match as well as there is no difference – the game and training is the same,” he added, about a player who has spent seven games on loan at Bury.

“I’m always saying this to the lads; you have to work hard in training and you will get something back in games. But, as well, you have to show in the game what you show in training.

“The pitch is green, the ball is round, there is no big difference. The only difference is you maybe only feel something different.”

Wagner praised his squad for accepting “this crazy German guy” and his methods, their form having improved markedly following his arrival in November.

They are five games unbeaten ahead of struggling Fulham’s arrival on Saturday.

Asked if Town are further ahead of schedule than expected, Wagner said: “I have a feeling we are on the way – not more, not less – but we are on the way.”