Birmingham City and QPR dealt setback after fresh Huddersfield Town promise | OneFootball

Cameron Ashia could be set for an improved role in the Huddersfield Town fold next season, which could be a setback to interested Championship clubs

Cameron Ashia's Huddersfield Town future was confirmed at the end of the season, after the Terriers took the option to extend his contract for an extra year.

Even then, though, many felt that, given the 21-year-old's potential and the fact he didn't spend much time on the pitch this season, Ashia could still find himself moving on, only with Huddersfield recouping a fee for him.

It was reported back in February that Birmingham City, QPR and Stoke City were all interested in Ashia, in the midst of a breakout campaign where the versatile attacking midfielder scored three and assisted three in just under 650 minutes of league action.

Indeed, the youngster only started four times under Lee Grant and Liam Manning, and would miss the final seven games of the campaign under Martin Drury and Jon Stead due to a groin injury.

But, once back and fit, it looks like Ashia will be in line for an improved role in the side, per a fresh promise made by Drury following his promotion to first-team manager this summer, which could act as a roadblock for a potential move to a Championship side in the near future.

Martin Drury issues academy promise at Huddersfield Town this summer — it's good news for Cameron Ashia

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With Martin Drury holding a good background in academy coaching, leading the youth set-up at West Yorkshire rivals Bradford City and coaching at Manchester United, it's not a surprise that one of his first goals as Huddersfield boss is to bring the first team and the under-21s closer together.

The Town under-21s side won the Professional Development League play-offs last season, and the likes of Ashia, Dan Vost, George Sebine and Jay Smith-Sway, who is on Norwich City's radar, all got time in the first-team fold.

Drury wants to see more of that this summer, stating that "they'll get more than a look-in [during pre-season], they've earned an opportunity to certainly be around it," per Yorkshire Live.

Ashia was the main example last season of a youngster taking advantage of the few opportunities he had in the first team fold. His first goal for the club came on his league debut at Reading in the second game of the campaign, and he's been in and around the squad since.

Some Huddersfield fans and League One neutrals felt that the 21-year-old should have been afforded more time on the pitch, too, especially during a patchy run between October and mid-December, where Lee Grant was coming under a lot of pressure. Ashia's only start in a 10-game stretch where the Terriers won twice saw him assist against AFC Wimbledon in a 3-3 draw.

So, if the attacking midfielder can showcase his talents to his new manager, who specialises in youth development, too, then we can expect he'll be playing a bigger part in the 2026/27 campaign at the Accu Stadium.

Cameron Ashia's contract may still be a cause for concern at Huddersfield if he takes the expected next steps

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While it was good news to see Ashia extend his stay ahead of next season, there's no doubt that this time next January the same conversations will be had about his future, as the 21-year-old will yet again be out of contract at the end of the term.

Huddersfield fans will be hoping that Drury's plans to integrate more young stars can lead to success, and if the 21-year-old is an integral part of that, he could be persuaded to stay at the club in the long-term, especially if it naturally allows him to play in the Championship.

But, if Ashia does progress as many expect him to in spite of Huddersfield's performances and the Terriers remain in mid-table purgatory in the third tier, it'll be a formality that Championship sides such as Birmingham, QPR, Stoke, and maybe even more, all register interest.

Ideally, the option to extend was taken just so the West Yorkshire side could have a little more time to hash out improved terms and a longer deal for the exciting prospect, as many forecast him to be a breakout star if afforded game time next term.

If not, then Huddersfield may face losing him for free once again this time next year, with his value even higher than it was this summer.