Doubts cast over £750k Huddersfield Town man's future - he's a "passenger" in Lee Grant's squad | OneFootball

Dion Charles is yet to make his mark at the Accu Stadium following a move in January

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Despite Huddersfield Town continuing their relatively impressive start to the League One campaign under new manager Lee Grant, the future of certain players remains very much up for debate.

The Terriers have been backed by many to end a two-season stint in the third-tier in what is Grant's first season in a full-time managerial role after previously being understudy to Kieran McKenna during a successful spell at Ipswich Town, with American owner, Kevin Nagle, continuing to plough hefty investment into the playing squad at the Accu Stadium.

The likes of Alfie May and Leo Castledine have been among those recruited throughout the summer to bolster Town's attacking department, whilst Grant also has a plethora of high-quality performers who provide a wealth of experience in League One and beyond throughout his defence and midfield.

Huddersfield have certainly showcased their firepower in the early weeks of his tenure too, as they currently lead the way when it comes to goals scored in the league thus far with a tally of 14 goals across the opening seven games.

However, none of those have come through Dion Charles, with supporters continuing to question where the Northern Ireland international's immediate and long-term future lies.

The 29-year-old moved from Town's expected promotion rivals, Bolton Wanderers, for £750,000 back in January, penning a two-and-a-half year contract in the process.

After scoring 57 times and posting a further 11 assists at the Toughsheet Community Stadium under Ian Evatt and Steven Schumacher, there was understandable hope that he could continue such form in West Yorkshire.

However, the first eight months of his aforementioned deal couldn't have panned out much worse. After initially struggling for form under Michael Duff, who was relieved of his duties in March, and interim boss Jon Worthington,

Charles has played just 25 minutes of league football so far this season, and was left out of the previous two matchday squads against Stevenage and Barnsley prior to heading on international duty for Northern Ireland.

With the Preston-born man yet to get off the mark in blue and white amid further attacking signings this summer, Football League World's Huddersfield Town fan pundit, Graeme Rayner, isn't exactly sure how Charles will source regular game-time in the near future.

"He was only signed in January and came into a side where the tactics weren't really set up to suit his football, the side wasn't being successful and the system was chopped and changed," Rayner explained to FLW.

"He's never really managed a successful run in the side.

"I genuinely felt like, in parts, at times last season, he just needed one to go in, any way it could.

"If it went in off his backside, it wouldn't matter, and it would get the monkey off his back. But, that monkey's been there a while.

"But what's happened now, in this transfer window, we've brought in Alfie May and Zépiqueno Redmond, so he's further down the pecking order. It looks like, out of the two strikers that were signed in January, Joe Taylor's the one that's going to get more football.

"I don't know. I really don't know what the future holds for him," Rayner added.

"I think there's a player there that could really suit our style. But, how and when he's going to get the opportunity, I don't know.

"When you're in a promotion race, you can't afford to give players a protracted run in the side to find form, because while they're not in form, they're a bit of a passenger and a spare part that can impact the rest of the team.

"What you need is a whole 11 offering their best as much as possible.

"If I was Lee Grant, I wouldn't know how to introduce him into the side enough to find form. He's definitely capable at this level, we've seen it. I wish him well."

Dion Charles, Huddersfield Town situation provides Lee Grant with a dilemma

It is clear just how good a striker Charles is at this level when fully firing on all cylinders, having also showcased his goalscoring nous at Accrington Stanley prior to his strong spell at Bolton.

However, his only starts this term under Grant have come in the EFL Cup victories over Leicester City and Sunderland, also remaining quiet in front of goal regardless of his side's shock victories.

Charles is yet to win over supporters, particularly after an incident last term where he was spotted watching his former employers face Blackpool when Huddersfield suffered defeat to Charlton Athletic in late March, and a lack of threat in front of goal will only add to those frustrations.

Given the exploits of May, Taylor and Castledine on top of the loan signing of Redmond from Aston Villa, it looks like the 28-cap international is already being identified as a transfer mishap for Huddersfield, meaning an exit, either temporary or permanent in January, could be the best solution for all parties.