Preview: Huddersfield Town v Hartlepool United: Fixture congestion holds no fears for Terriers

As the League One promotion race shapes up to be the most open in years, midfielder Antony Kay has no concerns about a fixture backlog de-railing Huddersfield Town.

The Terriers are hoping to beat the freeze on Boxing Day and play what will be only their second league game in more than a month as Hartlepool United visit the Galpharm Stadium.

Due to the Arctic weather and the continued involvement of Lee Clark's men in both the Johnstone's Paint Trophy and FA Cup, Town are desperate to get the game on to avoid adding to a fixture schedule that already includes at least 17 games in the coming nine weeks.

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Kay, though, insists that such a demanding schedule holds no fears for the Huddersfield players as they look to consolidate their promotion challenge across the festive season. He said: "I think most players enjoy matches more than training, and as far as I am concerned the more the better.

"I think we have the squad to cope with injuries and suspensions."

Town, who have faced only leaders Brighton & Hove Albion in league combat since beating MK Dons on November 23, are involved in what looks like being the most open League One promotion race in years.

Certainly, since Clark took charge a little over two years ago, the league table at this time of year has never had such a concertinaed look as it does going into the 2010 festive season.

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Just eight points separate second placed Sheffield Wednesday from Exeter City in ninth, while even one-time runaway leaders Brighton have been pegged back in recent weeks to leave Gus Poyet's side with just a three-point advantage over the Owls at the top.

It is all in stark contrast to Clark's first two Christmases at the Galpharm Stadium.

Last year, for instance, Leeds United were in pole position with 50 points, four head of second placed Charlton Athletic with Norwich City an additional four points behind in third. Town were fifth, trailing the leaders by 15 points.

In 2008-09, it was a similar story going into Christmas with Leicester City (47 points) leading the way from MK Dons (43), Millwall (43) and Scunthorpe United (38).

Huddersfield were in 10th with 32 points, an identical tally to today though from two fewer games.