Swansea City v Huddersfield Town - Early return helped Isaac Mbenza force way back into Teriers plans

Unwanted by then-manager Danny Cowley, Mbenza was loaned to Ligue 1 side Amiens in January, but returned to pre-season training three weeks early to make up some of the time lost by the suspension of the French season, and has featured in all five matches under Carlos Corberan.

The winger looks certain to feature in today’s Championship game at Swansea City.

Asked if he thought his time in West Yorkshire had come to an end, having only made his loan move permanent in the summer of 2019, the 24-year-old said: “I did think so because I wasn’t playing. I wasn’t expecting to come back to Huddersfield Town but a lot has changed, in the staff and around the club. In the summer, I spoke to Carlos and he told me to come back because he needed me this season.

“Sometimes in football you just don’t know what’s going to happen next and now I’m here and I’m very happy.

“I know he (Corberan) likes me and that’s why I’ve played this season. I came back two or three weeks early because he told me he needed me. I love him and I’m happy to work with him.”

Mbenza’s attitude has impressed the Spanish coach.

“He suffered a little bit because he was on loan in France and the league stopped early so he wasn’t playing games, which is why he went on loan,” said Corberan. “I asked him to start early to improve his physical level because it’s never the same when you are just training in your house.

“When a player agrees to lose a little bit of holiday time, it sends you a message that he wants this.

“I could see in training he was working very hard to impress. He was very self-demanding, he wanted to give something to the Huddersfield fans.

“He needs to use his speed and explosive moments to harm the opponents more but he is progressing in the right way.”

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James Mitchinson