Lee Grant drops Huddersfield Town transfer update after Leo Castledine exit | OneFootball

Lee Grant has outlined Huddersfield Town's stance on signing a Leo Castledine replacement after the youngster was sold to Middlesbrough by Chelsea.

Huddersfield Town boss Lee Grant has outlined how likely the League One club are to find a direct replacement for Leo Castledine this month.

The 20-year-old excelled while on loan with the Terriers this term, scoring 10 goals and producing two assists in 23 third-tier appearances.

However, Chelsea recalled Castledine and sold him to Middlesbrough, meaning that Grant's men will have to cope without the attacking midfielder for the rest of the campaign.

Largely thanks to the former Chelsea man's performances, Huddersfield sit fifth in League One, and will want to remain in the play-off places.

Lee Grant issues 'difficult' verdict after Leo Castledine leaves Huddersfield Town

The Terriers face Burton Albion in their next third tier game, as they strive to bounce back from their 1-0 defeat to fellow top-six outfit Stockport County.

Meanwhile, the West Yorkshire club will be more reliant on striker Bojan Radulovic, now that their League One top scorer, Castledine, has joined Middlesbrough on a permanent transfer.

Discussing whether his side will sign a direct replacement for the attacking midfielder this transfer window, Grant told the Yorkshire Post: "Of course, if we have an opportunity to find another Leo Castledine, I think nobody's going to turn their nose up at that.

"But I think that's going to be very, very difficult in this window."

Having left his Huddersfield loan spell behind him, Castledine will now strive to help Middlesbrough in their quest to book a spot in next season's Premier League.

Boro suffered a 3-1 defeat to top-flight club Fulham in their FA Cup third-round tie on Saturday, but they remain second in the Championship, thanks to a 4-0 win over Southampton on 4 January.

Castledine could make his debut for Kim Hellberg's men when they host West Brom this Friday, while the Baggies are vying to enjoy a strong start under new boss Eric Ramsay.

Leo Castledine exit is a blow as Huddersfield challenge for League One play-off spot

Huddersfield have enjoyed a largely successful season in League One so far this term, which is demonstrated by their current position in the table.

However, Grant's side have been heavily reliant on Castledine, who is the only player to manage double figures in terms of third-tier goals this campaign.

The 20-year-old remained a vital asset for the Terriers right until the end of his loan stint in West Yorkshire, scoring four goals and producing one assist in his last five games for Grant's men.

Huddersfield will hope that Saturday's defeat to Stockport is not a sign of things to come now that their former loan star has earned a permanent move to the Championship.

However, Castledine produced ingenuity that helped the Terriers over the line in closely fought contests, and his former club failed to score in their first game since his departure.

Unfortunately for the West Yorkshire outfit, the difficulty in trying to sign a Castledine replacement could ultimately lead to an unsuccessful play-off bid.

Wycombe Wanderers, who currently sit 11th, are just six points behind the Terriers, showing how quickly Grant's side could slide down the league table if they don't get back to winning ways.