Town aiming to end their derby daze

Seven games, two points and a first double defeat against local rivals Leeds United since before the Second World War is a miserable record and one that the Terriers are desperate to improve on today in their final White Rose clash of the season, against Sheffield Wednesday.

Just as importantly, victory at Hillsborough would put some much-needed polish on what has been a worrying run of results over the past two months.

“We know we need a few results and to buck our trend,” said manager Chris Powell, whose side have won one of their last 10 league outings. “Our performances have turned around somewhat.

“But, ultimately, you are judged on results. I would take an ugly performance to get three points. We need to keep that positivity, but we need to grind out some results.

“It is that time of the year where I could talk about performances, but it is about results now.”

One of Town’s derby points this season came against Wednesday in November when the two sides fought out a goalless draw at the John Smith’s Stadium, the other being from a 2-2 draw at Rotherham United on Boxing Day.

Hillsborough has been something of a happy hunting ground lately, with Huddersfield’s last four visits yielding three wins and a 4-4 draw that saw Jordan Rhodes net all the visitors’ goals.

The Terriers will be hoping to exploit the Owls’ often indifferent home form and claim that first win over Yorkshire opposition of the campaign.

“It will be nice for us to change our Yorkshire derby fortunes in our final one,” said Powell, who oversaw Town’s first double defeat to Leeds since 1939.

“We have pride in our county and area and it would be nice to have that win over the Easter period. We have one more game to try and get a win in a Yorkshire derby and we will be looking to do that.”

Harry Bunn will again be missing for Huddersfield, while Jake Carroll has returned from international duty with a thigh problem.