Huddersfield Town hoping for trip to Emirates

The Terriers, who return to League One action tonight at home to Plymouth Argyle, will have to wait until a week tomorrow – when the Gunners travel to Elland Road for a replay that will be shown live on ITV – to discover the identity of their opponents.

Whether Leeds or Arsenal prevail in the replay, Lee Clark's players can look forward to playing in front of a full house on January 29 and assistant manager McDermott says the lure of running out at the Emirates Stadium in front of 60,000 fans means Town would favour a trip to the capital.

The 59-year-old, twice an FA Cup finalist as a player for Newcastle and Liverpool, said: "We would love to play Arsenal –it would be a great occasion for the lads, who possibly thought they would never get the chance to play at the Emirates Stadium.

"They might get that opportunity now, but I can assure everyone that it won't be easy for

Arsenal because I watched the game on Saturday and I thought Leeds were fantastic. They were very unlucky not to win.

"Whoever we get, it is going to be a fantastic occasion for us and we are delighted to be in the draw.

"I played in two FA Cup finals but unfortunately we were beaten in both of them. No matter what round you play in, there is always the chance to draw a big team."

Town's focus returns to the league tonight when Plymouth make the long trip to the Galpharm Stadium for a game that should have been played last Saturday, only to be moved after the Yorkshire club reached the third round of the Cup.

With Clark's men not playing in the league at the weekend, Bournemouth took advantage by moving into second place with a 3-0 win over the Pilgrims – meaning the Terriers are now three points adrift of the automatic promotion slots.

Third-placed Southampton are also in action tonight at

Oldham Athletic so it is important that Huddersfield build on the derby victory over Sheffield Wednesday in their last League One outing.

McDermott said: "As a club, we have a lot to look forward to. The two-legged Northern final of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy (against Carlisle United) is coming up, too.

"The amount of games we have coming up will be hard for us but we have a good squad here and we will utilise that.

"The FA Cup fourth round is something to look forward to, but our main priority is promotion and we have a very important game at home to Plymouth.

"That will be difficult but getting results in League One is our bread and butter."

Town have no fresh injury worries following the weekend Cup meeting with Dover Athletic at the Galpharm, but Benik Afobe could again miss out with the slight knee injury that kept him out of the 2-0 win over the BlueSquare South side.

The teenage striker is expected to extend his loan stay from

Arsenal until the end of the season, which suggests he could be available for a possible Cup meeting with his parent club after Arsene Wenger allowed Gunners loanee Sanchez Watt to play for Leeds at the Emirates.

Huddersfield, who have played at Elland Road four times since 2004, may be keener to face Arsenal in the fourth round but Leeds goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel insists next week's replay is far from a foregone conclusion.

The Dane, who made a stunning late save from Denilson to keep United in the tie, said: "With the players we have got, I think we should be confident against anyone – especially at Elland Road.

"The atmosphere we can create there is very intimidating. Arsenal will be used to playing in that sort of atmosphere but we are confident.

"Our fans make Elland Road special. We expect Arsenal to come and have a lot of possession but, given the chance, we will score goals."

Last six games: Huddersfield Town WLLDWW, Plymouth Argyle WWDDWL.

Referee: P Tierney (Lancashire).

Last time: Huddersfield Town 1 Plymouth Argyle 0; February 4, 2003; Division Two.