EXCLUSIVE: Ambitious Huddersfield Defender Lees Backing Terriers' Championship Promotion Charge

Tom Lees is excited at the prospect of Huddersfield Town strengthening their squad in the January transfer window as they look to secure promotion back to the Championship at the first attempt.

Terriers owner Kevin Nagle has repeatedly stated his desire to bring in a striker to increase their attacking firepower for the second half of the season. A new left wing back is also thought to feature high on their priority list following Mickel Miller's injury setback. 

The 29-year-old faces over three months on the sidelines after undergoing knee surgery. Miller, formerly of Plymouth Argyle and Rotherham United, started 13 of Town's opening 16 League One fixtures, contributing three assists.

"We have got a lot of numbers in the squad, but anyone that can come in and make us stronger can only be a good thing," Lees told SportsBoom.

"I'm sure the recruitment team will be working hard to get some top quality players in for this league. They will probably be looking at players who are ready to start and can hit the ground running to benefit the team."

Centre-back is one of the strongest areas in Town's squad. Lees, Matty Pearson, Michal Helik, Nigel Lonwijk and Brodie Spencer can all be utilised in head coach Michael Duff's three-man defence. 

With Radinio Balker also expected to return to action over the coming weeks following a lengthy injury lay-off, Duff will have some difficult selection decisions to make in the New Year.

"There's a lot of competition," acknowledged Lees, who has been on Town's books since August 2021. 

"It's one of those things; it's unfortunate for whoever is not playing. 

"Ruffs [Josh Ruffels] and Turton [Ollie Turton] have hardly been in the squad this season and are probably capable of playing in the Championship, which just shows the competition we have got."

AUTOMATIC PROMOTION AMBITIONS

Town propelled themselves back into automatic promotion contention following an impressive unbeaten run between October and December. 

But there are a number of strong sides competing with Town for a top-two finish, including Wycombe Wanderers, Wrexham and Birmingham City.

"It's going to be tough to go up," said Lees. "It's so tight at the top. There are loads of teams pushing for promotion and you always get teams after Christmas who go on unbeaten runs. 

"It is all about being consistent. We are trying to not look too far ahead. We got off to a good start but then had a horrible run which cost us and we know that can't happen again. 

"We have to concentrate on ourselves and look to keep doing everything that the gaffer consistently wants from us week in and week out. 

"The gaffer is big on the dirty side of the game - the not so glamorous side. He wants us to be hard to beat and works a lot with the defence. 

"We have got loads of competition back there so when you get your chance you've got to show what you can do. We have got to make sure we keep turning up with the right mindset to deliver."