Wembley incentive to spur the Terriers in final attempt

LEE CLARK believes the prize of playing at "the most famous stadium in world football" will be all the motivation Huddersfield Town need tomorrow night when stepping into the Lions' Den.

The Terriers were unable to make home advantage pay in Saturday's first leg as Millwall claimed a goalless draw.

It means Huddersfield have it all to do in the quest to reach the League One play-off final against a Lions side who have lost just once at The Den all season.

Clark, however, is adamant the Yorkshire club can prevail in what is certain to be a white-hot atmosphere in south London and points to the prize of a trip to Wembley for the May 29 final as a major inspiration.

The Town manager said: "This game is not over by a long stretch. We are one of the best counter-attacking teams in the league.

"I am sure their fans will want them to be creating opportunities but if we can defend like we did in the first leg then we have the pace in our attack to hit them on the break.

"The lads know the opportunity they have. They are on the verge of playing at the most famous stadium in world football.

"They have to give everything to achieve that."

Huddersfield, who netted the second highest tally of goals behind champions Norwich City during the regular season, are bidding to make it a hat-trick of final appearances in the play-offs.

The club's two previous semi-final successes – in 1995 against Brentford and Lincoln City nine years later – preceeded promotion being clinched at the old Wembley and Millennium Stadium, respectively.

In contrast to Town, Millwall's record in the play-offs is lamentable with five previous attempts all ending in disappointment.

The Lions' only previous appearance in a final came last year when, after knocking out Leeds United, they lost an enthralling final to Scunthorpe United.

Clark said: "I hope Millwall are a bag of nerves because of their previous record in the play-offs.

"I am not sure if they will be because Kenny (Jackett) is a very experienced manager in this situation.

"He has built a very strong squad and team that has done very well. That is why I am not disappointed with our performance."

Huddersfield will be hoping to exploit any nerves among a Millwall side who are still smarting from defeat at Wembley a year ago.

Clark also believes that what happened in the Championship play-offs – when both second legs were won by the away team – gives his side grounds for optimism ahead of tomorrow's tie at The Den.

The Town manager said: "I am not a big fan of the bookies so whether we are favourites or not is not a problem to me.

"All I know is that in the Championship play-offs, the home teams were driven forward by their fans and the away team exploited that.

"I believe I have the right group of players to perform similarly, which will mean defending well but attacking quickly."

Clark will keep a watching brief on his players in training today after several complained of cramp in the closing stages of Saturday's tie.

He added: "We have one or two niggles in the squad but mainly cramp. I was not surprised at that because the players gave everything. They will have to do the same again on Tuesday night."

Town lost 3-1 at The Den on their last visit to Millwall in September but Clark is adamant that the result will have no bearing on how his side approach the second leg tomorrow.