Opportunity knocks for Parkin to earn longer deal at Terriers

The 29-year-old has been drafted in from Cardiff City as cover for Alan Lee after the veteran striker failed in his attempt to overturn a red card picked up against Notts County last weekend.

Lee must now serve a three-game ban, a punishment that led Terriers manager Clark to sign Barnsley-born Parkin. He is likely to go straight into the starting XI to take on Charlton Athletic in Monday night’s eagerly-awaited top-of-the-table game at The Valley.

When the signing was announced earlier this week, it was believed that Parkin’s stint back in his native Yorkshire would be a temporary affair, but Clark insists the door is open for the Bluebirds striker to earn an extended stay.

The Town manager said: “Alan has done a fantastic job for us. It is no coincidence that the other two lads (Jordan Rhodes and Lee Novak) are in double figures for goals this season. I believe that is down to the work Alan does.

“Jon can do exactly the same. This is an opportunity for him to earn a longer-term deal here. We don’t just bring people in for the sake of it.

“We know he has ability and believe he can add something to what we are trying to do, which is win promotion.

“He has been in my thoughts for a long time. I saw him first-hand against Cardiff in the Carling Cup (when Town lost 5-3 after extra-time in the Carling Cup last August) but we have also been watching him on loan at Doncaster.

“He has the right personality and I am looking forward to working with him. Jon is a leader and a man. He competes for everything fairly, which you have to do in today’s game.

“He doesn’t get enough credit for what he does with the ball at his feet. Jon is a player who has a good feel for the ball and he can bring other people into play. He also gets his fair share of goals.

“What also excites me is that when Alan is back from suspension, we will have the two of them. I can’t imagine there will be too many defences looking forward to having those two unleashed on them.”

Another loan arrival at Town hoping to earn a permanent switch to the Galpharm is Alex Bruce, the Leeds United defender having joined yesterday until January 2.

The 27-year-old, son of former Terriers manager Steve Bruce, has not played for United all season and is deemed surrplus to requirements at Elland Road.

Another Leeds player to go out on loan ahead of the 5pm deadline was Paul Rachubka. who joined Tranmere Rovers. Bruce will go straight into the squad for the trip to Charlton, which Clark readily admits will be his side’s “biggest test of the season”.

Chris Powell’s Athletic are unbeaten in eight games at home this term and sit five points clear of Huddersfield at the top of the table after 18 games.

The Terriers could be third by the time of Monday’s game due to Sheffield Wednesday, who entertain Leyton Orient, being just two points behind their West Yorkshire rivals.

Should Town lose their record-breaking 43-game unbeaten run in south London, they will, of course, be eight points behind the leaders – a considerable gap by any standards, even with more than half the season still remaining.

Clark, who yesterday loaned Jamie McCombe to Preston, is confident defeat is not on the menu for his players come Monday, but the Town manager is also at pains to stress that even if Charlton do prevail then there will be plenty of twists and turns remaining in the race for the Championship.

He said: “Titles are not decided in November. Nothing is ever done and dusted then. If the worst case scenario is going to happen – and I don’t for a second think it will – and they go eight points clear then there is far too much football still to be played for it to be decisive.

“Look at Brighton last season, they had a blip even after opening up a big gap earlier in the season. They bounced back with eight wins out of eight in March but it just showed that nothing could be taken for granted even when they were quite a way clear.”

On the challenge facing Town come Monday, Clark added: “It is our biggest test of the season. Charlton are top of the league and deservedly so.

“We are on their home ground as well so without a shadow of a doubt it’s a tough game. But I can’t wait to get the game on.

“I have watched a lot of footage of Charlton and they go for the jugular. We do the same so I am expecting a very good game from two terrific sides.”

The League One promotion race is shaping up to be a keenly-fought affair, with just six points separating Huddersfield from Sheffield United in fifth.

Charlton have undoubtedly been the outstanding side, as a haul of 43 points from 18 games vividly illustrates. But with Huddersfield and the three other main challengers also looking capable of lasting the pace, Clark envisages a thrilling promotion battle.

He said: “There are a few involved. The clubs behind us are in a terrific run.

“Sheffield Wednesday are right behind us and can go above us on Saturday with a win. MK Dons are playing very, very well and scoring lots of goals.

“Sheffield United will always be a threat with the players and manager they have so it is important we keep getting points on the board.

“The second half of the season will see the depth and quality of each team’s squad come into play so we have to hang in there.”