Huddersfield Town's wage bill: How does it compare to rest of League One? | OneFootball

Football League World takes a look at how the Huddersfield Town wage bill compares to the rest of League One

Huddersfield Town are firmly in the League One play-off battle at the business end of the season, and are vying to make a Championship return at the second time of asking.

The Terriers suffered three defeats in February, but got their promotion push back on track with a victory over Rotherham United in their first game in March.

Liam Manning initially performed well after replacing former Huddersfield boss Lee Grant, enjoying successive wins over Bradford City, Luton Town, and Peterborough United in late January.

However, in Manning's first full month in charge, the West Yorkshire side were beaten by Stevenage, Doncaster Rovers and Wigan Athletic.

Huddersfield Town have one of League One's highest wage bills

Huddersfield's aforementioned defeats at the hands of Doncaster and Wigan were particularly disappointing, due to the fact that both Rovers and the Latics are battling to avoid relegation to League Two.

However, the Terriers' recent wins over both Barnsley and Rotherham have given them every chance of getting the better of the likes of Stockport County, Reading, and Stevenage in the third-tier play-off battle.

Meanwhile, Capology estimates show that the West Yorkshire club's weekly wage bill is £237,500, leaving their annual wage expenditure at £12.35million.

Only Cardiff City and Luton Town have a higher estimated wage bill than Manning's side on Capology.

The Bluebirds are set to land an immediate Championship return, and it is no surprise that Luton's players are on high wages, as the Hatters were competing in the Premier League just two seasons ago.

Meanwhile, Capology estimate that Cardiff's wage bill is worth £268,000 a week, whereas the Kenilworth Road side spend £256,623 on their players' weekly wages.

The estimates show that Plymouth Argyle have the fourth most expensive wages in League One, totalling £185,550 a week.

Liam Manning could already be in trouble if he doesn't guide Huddersfield Town to the play-offs

Huddersfield have the third-highest estimated wage bill in League One, which is just another showcase of the ambition they have to return to the Championship.

The West Yorkshire club also made notable additions in the winter transfer window, including the loan acquisition of Ryan Hardie from Wrexham.

Hardie previously excelled in League One with Plymouth, and the Terriers hierarchy will hope that the striker can score the goals to fire them to the play-offs and ultimately to the Championship.

Meanwhile, when Lee Grant was sacked by Huddersfield following a 3-1 defeat to Burton Albion, the Accu Stadium club actually occupied a play-off spot.

Therefore, if Manning fails to steer the Terriers to a top-six spot come the end of the season, he may already fear that he could be sacked.

Town have some difficult fixtures in March, facing title challengers Lincoln City and Cardiff either side of a trip to fellow play-off contenders Plymouth.

Huddersfield then clash with Reading and Leyton Orient on Easter weekend, which could prove decisive in their quest to land a top-six spot ahead of the Royals.

The Terriers have both a high wage bill and a talented squad, and they will want to prove themselves by competing for a spot in next season's Championship.

It was just four years ago that Huddersfield finished third in the second tier and were beaten by Nottingham Forest in the play-off final, which provides some of the reasoning as to why they are so ambitious in League One.