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FLW's Huddersfield fan pundit debates whether his side should make a permanent move for Ryan Hardie

Sitting four points off the play-offs with just six to play for, it's only a matter of time before Huddersfield Town are confirmed to be spending a third consecutive season in League One.

This year has been a real disappointment at Accu Stadium, as plenty of big-name arrivals, both on the field and in the dugout throughout the campaign, haven't translated into a title push, or even worse, a place in the top six.

Ryan Hardie's loan switch from Wrexham to West Yorkshire on Deadline Day back in February was one of those arrivals that came with plenty of fanfare, given his recent scoring pedigree in the Championship. And while there have been glimmers of that during his short time at Huddersfield, his injury record has overshadowed it.

The Scotsman missed the two months before the switch due to a knee injury, so the Terriers knew they were taking a risk in bringing him in. But that risk hasn't paid off, with Hardie playing just six times at his new club, missing the last six games.

With Huddersfield's season all but over, the focus will soon shift to squad improvements as the club looks to hit their promotion targets at the first time of asking, but will that include a permanent move for the 29-year-old frontman?

Huddersfield Town fan pundit debates a permanent move for Ryan Hardie

Graeme Rayner, FLW's Huddersfield fan pundit, acknowledges the quality that Hardie has, and is arguably as frustrated as anyone that he hasn't been able to showcase that much during his loan spell at the Accu Stadium.

That recent injury record is putting him off pursuing a permanent move for the 29-year-old.

"He's shown some ability in the very few games he has played for us since he's been on loan, but he arrived carrying an injury, and we took a bit of a gamble on that, and he has barely featured in squads," Rayner explained.

"We've had him for six games, and in only two of those has he played more than an hour. He has scored two goals in that time, but I don't think we've seen enough, and it's really tricky to know whether we'd get our money's worth."

It's always difficult to assess whether someone who has been at the club for just over two months should warrant a permanent move in the summer, especially one who has played just over 300 minutes during his spell so far.

The fan pundit does acknowledge that this injury-riddled season is an anomaly for the frontman, after being nearly ever-present during his five full years at Plymouth Argyle.

But even then, he'd rather opt for another loan, or even look elsewhere completely, before spending money on bringing Hardie back permanently.

"I suppose, if we were given a season-long loan, that could work, but I would be reluctant to commit to a permanent deal. Maybe a loan to buy based on appearances, something like that," he continued.

"And, look, his injury record doesn't look bad; it just seems to be this season. Prior to this year, he was playing 37, 40, 44 games a season, so a lot of games.

"But, as a club, we have been stung by players with questionable injury records, so if it were my money, I'd be looking elsewhere, but perhaps a loan with an option to buy would be the way to go.

"He's definitely got ability and offers something, but he needs to be on the grass more than the treatment table."

Ryan Hardie's future lies away from Wrexham, but likely not at Huddersfield Town

Ultimately, Hardie's £700,000 move to Wrexham in the summer will go down as one of the flops of last summer's window, as selection issues and injuries have stopped the Scotsman from making many inroads into Phil Parkinson's side.

With the 29-year-old already expendable this season, plus the fact that the Red Dragons will likely strengthen again in the coming off-season, Hardie most definitely should be angling for a move away from North Wales.

But should he be pushing for a move to Huddersfield? Or more specifically, should Huddersfield be pushing to bring him back?

The Terriers have Joe Taylor to welcome back to the fold this coming summer after an incredible loan move with Wigan Athletic, and Liam Manning has outlined that he wants the 23-year-old in his plans for next season.

Taylor, alongside a full season of Bojan Radulovic, who has impressed in bursts throughout the current campaign, could be all Manning needs in terms of starting strikers, with the likes of Alfie May and Dion Charles acting as back-up.

There's no doubting the quality that Hardie has when fit, but perhaps it would be too much to risk a permanent signing for, especially given the firepower Huddersfield are hoping to have up front next season without the Scotsman's presence.