Nottm Forest v Huddersfield Town: Young Red Devil eyes ‘a great achievement’

For the Terriers, however, such a – by recent standards – lofty standing would be a major step in the right direction.

Town have finished 15th or higher just three times in the past 30 years, the most recent occasion coming in 1999-2000 when Peter Jackson’s men just missed out on the second tier play-offs by finishing eighth.

“If we can get another two or three victories,” said the on-loan Manchester United full-back, “we can push up as high as we can and top 15 would be a great achievement.”

Huddersfield, whose Academy chief Mark Lillis is believed to be the subject of interest from the Premier League and at least one Spanish club, head to Nottingham Forest buoyed by an encouraging Easter that yielded four points.

James’s first two outings for Town coincided with that draw at Sheffield Wednesday and home victory over Ipswich Town.

Having spent two months on loan at Rotherham United earlier this season, the 21-year-old is relishing a further opportunity to impress in the Championship.

“My aim is to play as many games here but then in the summer maybe I can have a discussion with Manchester United,” said James, whom manager Chris Powell has already spoken about possibly bringing back to the John Smith’s next term.

“I am 21 and I need to be playing games and this is a good level in the Championship.”

Asked about his time with the Millers, the young Red Devil replied: “I enjoyed my time there and I can’t say a bad word about him. Steve Evans helped me a lot, he told me to relax and play my football. If I made a mistake he said he would help improve me. He had us fired up for every game.”