Mum's the word for Rhodes heading into derby

The 20-year-old will lead the Terriers' attack against Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough, where his father just happens to be the goalkeeping coach.

Rhodes junior was restored to Town's League One starting line-up after a five-match spell on the bench against Walsall following injury to Lee Novak and, with Alan Lee banned after Saturday's red card, the pressure will be on his shoulders to deliver in the derby.

Rhodes has a record of a goal

almost every other game in a Town shirt since being plucked from Ipswich, and says: "Dad's not been ribbing me but who knows what he has been telling their goalkeeper about me?

"It's a family occasion but I am sure the press will read more into it than what we do as a family. I have played against him once for Ipswich against Preston when I came on as a sub for the last 10 minutes but we haven't really spoken about this game."

The Oldham-born striker, whose father made his name as a goalkeeper at Barnsley, added: "I've never played there but it should be a tremendous game and I'm looking forward to going to Hillsborough with its prestige and history and with 25,000 expected to be there.

"It is still one of the biggest clubs in the country never mind this division, Championship or Premier League. It is still massively well-supported, world-wide as well, so we will have to go there and play in a similar way to what we did against Leeds last season (the game ended 2-2) and we are all looking to do that.

"We know it won't be easy because they have been on a good run, too, recently and are a terrific side."

Town manager Lee Clark said recently he had been holding Rhodes back to keep him fresh for the sharp end of the season but the comment came as surprise to the striker.

He said: "I didn't know about that – I'm just taking each day as it comes, knuckling down and trying to score as many goals as I can in training and trying to force the manager into making a decision to play me on a Saturday.

"I want to be playing every week, absolutely. When Saturday comes, if a footballer doesn't want to be out there at three o'clock there is something wrong with him.

"Going home on a Saturday with a few knocks around the ankles and back of my head is a much better feeling than going home without them. I was just grateful to get the spot up front against Walsall and I'll be doing my best to keep that place."

Town make the trip to south Yorkshire sitting in the second automatic promotion place following the weekend win over Walsall.

However, with just three points separating Huddersfield from Bristol Rovers in 12th, clearly Clark's men could slide back down the table should they be beaten at Hillsborough.

The Owls are two points adrift of Town and looking to return to winning ways after claiming just one point from their last two outings – at home to Bournemouth and away at Charlton Athletic,

Clark said: "The division is so tight that it could all change after Tuesday's results. With the exception of Brighton, who have a little bit of a cushion at this moment in time, there have been so many twists and turns already that every position from us in second down to about 12th can change so quickly.

"Sheffield Wednesday will be right in the shake-up come the end of the season. They already had quality players at the club before adding to the squad in the summer. They have a top-class manager in charge, too."

On a game that is expected to attract one of League One's biggest crowds of the season, Clark added: "Hillsborough is a special place because it is an old arena. I have good memories of playing there with both Fulham and Newcastle. We gained positive results every time, so, hopefully, that will continue.

"I was lucky enough to play there myself in front of 40,000 people in the Premier League. We will be pushing towards the 25,000 mark for our visit so the place should be rocking.

"We won't prepare any differently but I have been stressing to the players that we cannot lie down."

Tonight's derby will bring a reunion of sorts for Clark as he goes head-to-head as a manager for the first time with Alan Irvine.

The Town manager said: "I worked with Alan when Kenny Dalglish first took over at Newcastle. He came into the club as the assistant manager and first-team coach.

"He coached me for a time and then moved into the Academy, where he turned things round and did fantastically well. Everyone at the club respected him both as a person and a coach.

"It was no surprise when he left to take up a place with David Moyes at Everton. He is a terrific guy and a terrific football man, who was a bit unlucky not to escape the drop last season.

"They play positive football so I know it is going to be tough. I have the utmost respect for him but I will be hoping to turn his side over on Tuesday evening."

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