Back line challenge

ATHLETIC’S defensive unit will be given a stern examination by Huddersfield Town’s little-and-large forward combination tomorrow — but manager Lee Johnson reckons the Championship side will have to cope with plenty of problems at the other end of the pitch.

Star striker James Vaughan, a centre-forward in the traditional mould, is set for a return to the line-up where he should partner livewire Nahki Wells.

Athletic, without injured Adam Lockwood, will be forced to utilise a permutation featuring three recognised and fit centre-backs — Genseric Kusunga, James Wilson and Timothee Dieng — in combating the threat posed by the Championship club from West Yorkshire. There may also be a role for a defensive trialist, too.

Athletic boss Lee Johnson is an admirer of the qualities possessed by Huddersfield and their Chadderton-raised manager Mark Robins, particularly in the middle third.

He does, though, hope that his own forwards can get at a defence which kept a clean sheet in a 1-0 win at Sheffield United in a friendly on Tuesday night.

“We had them watched, and though I didn’t see them personally against Sheffield United as I was at another game, I know that they are very good in midfield,” Johnson said, with the likes of Adam Clayton, Oliver Norwood and Jonathan Hogg the stars for Huddersfield in that area of the pitch.

“I hope we can get at them at the back, but in midfield they have good rotation and very good footballers of a decent size who can put their foot in when needed.

“I expect them to line up in a 3-5-2 formation.

“They are a good Championship side and it will be a test for us to see how we cope with that.”

Town are likely to start at SportsDirect.com Park with a three-man defence featuring any three of Matt Crooks — a 20-year-old rookie who more normally operates in midfield — returning star Lee Peltier, a summer arrival from Leeds, Joel Lynch and Murray Wallace.

Huddersfield could also have new signing Radoslaw Majewski in action from the start.

The 27-year-old Poland international signed for the club from Nottingham Forest on a season-long loan on the same day he set up the winning goal for Adam Hammill at Sheffield United.

The £1million-rated player, who operates in a number 10 role behind a main striker, told the Huddersfield Examiner that his new team will suit his personal style of play.

“I know from last season that Huddersfield want to play good football and I know they have players in midfield who like to pass the ball and have good movement — and that’s what I really like,” he said.

“I really want to play in the Premier League and hopefully that is going to happen in the future, but in the meantime I am focused on playing for Huddersfield Town and doing what I can for the team.”

Harry Bunn, the son of Athletic legend Frank, who spent a short period on loan at his home-town club three seasons ago, could also feature for the visitors.