Scannell encouraged as Vaughan joins Town

The 21-year-old is one of several new faces signed this summer by manager Simon Grayson, who yesterday added Norwich City striker James Vaughan to his squad on loan for the rest of the season.

For someone born and bred in London, Scannell’s decision to move north from Crystal Palace was a big one but as Town prepare to host Burnley today the winger is adamant that he has joined a club on the up.

He said: “We have played two of the best sides in the league already and done well. We were unlucky to lose at Cardiff in the last minute and then took a point off a good Nottingham Forest side.

“Following on from what was a really good performance at Cardiff, there is plenty to build on. I have been in the Championship for a few years. I believe this is a very good team and one capable of winning promotion.

“I realise this is our first time in the league and we need to establish ourselves. But I really believe we can push on. There is a good mix here.

“The challenge is one that excites me. I am not in a comfort zone here, which was maybe the case when I was at Palace. I’d been there since I was a kid.”

Along with right-back Jack Hunt, Scannell was Huddersfield’s most potent attacking threat on a night when Forest turned on the style at the newly-christened John Smith’s Stadium.

But for Alex Smithies in goal and the woodwork, Sean O’Driscoll’s side would have been out of sight before the Terriers’ late reprieve came via a stoppage-time penalty by Jordan Rhodes.

Scannell, who missed his last spot-kick for Palace in the League Cup semi-final defeat to Cardiff City in February, admits to being relieved when Rhodes’s effort bounced into the net off the inside of the post.

But he also believes Huddersfield were full value for their late equaliser.

“I actually thought we deserved to beat Forest,” said the winger. “I know they had a few chances but so did we and had they gone in then we would have won the game.

“The important thing, though, was that we got that first point. The squad is still gelling but I sense we have a lot to look forward to.”

Huddersfield’s gelling process will now include helping Norwich striker Vaughan settle into the squad.

Left-back Liam Ridehalgh has joined League One Chesterfield on loan for a month and is expected to face Rotherham United today.