Huddersfield Town set for triple boost - Liam Manning confirms | OneFootball

Huddersfield Town boss Liam Manning has confirmed that Sean Roughan, Jack Whatmough, and Ryan Hardie are close to returning to fitness.

Huddersfield Town boss Liam Manning has delivered Terriers fans with good news on the injury front amid his side's ongoing play-off bid.

The West Yorkshire outfit drew 2-2 with Blackpool on Saturday, leaving them fifth in League One with 15 third-tier games remaining.

Manning's men are also vying for glory in the EFL Trophy, and host Doncaster Rovers in the quarter-final this Tuesday, following January's last 16 victory over Rotherham United.

Meanwhile, Huddersfield enjoyed a strong winter transfer window, acquiring the likes of Ryan Hardie, who is yet to make his Terriers debut since joining on loan from Wrexham, thanks to a knee injury.

Ryan Hardie among Huddersfield Town trio set for fitness return

Manning has enjoyed a strong start in the Accu Stadium dugout, as Saturday's draw with Blackpool increased his side's unbeaten run to four games.

However, the former Norwich City boss has had to cope without the services of defensive duo Sean Roughan and Jack Whatmough, as well as striker Hardie, thanks to fitness issues.

Issuing an injury update to the Yorkshire Post, Manning revealed: "We've got a few close to coming back. Sean (Roughan) and Jack (Whatmough) is out training now. So you've got those.

"Ryan (Hardie) is not a million miles away. So, all of a sudden, you start adding some of those guys, it will feel like new signings and add more quality in competition as well."

Roughan's last Terriers appearance came in a 2-2 draw with Exeter City on 4 January, whereas Whatmough has not featured for Huddersfield since a 3-2 victory over Peterborough United in September.

Manning's side have the potential to enjoy a highly successful end to the campaign, which could include earning promotion to the Championship via the play-offs and winning the EFL Trophy.

Defeating Doncaster in Tuesday's quarter-final would represent a big step forward for the Terriers, who have not lifted silverware since winning the second-tier title in 1970.

Meanwhile, Huddersfield successfully kept clean sheets in their recent wins over Bradford City and Luton Town, proving the defensive capabilities of Radinio Balker, Joseph Low, and Murray Wallace.

However, there is no doubt that the increasingly imminent return of Roughan and Whatmough will further strengthen Manning's backline.

Roughan previously excelled in League One for his former club, Lincoln City, and deservedly earned his move to the Accu Stadium last summer.

Meanwhile, Whatmough's calf injury has meant that the 29-year-old has been limited to just four third-tier appearances for the Terriers, so he will be eager to show his class at the business end of the season.

The centre-back spent two Championship campaigns with Preston North End before moving to West Yorkshire in the summer, and he won the League One title at Wigan Athletic in 2022.

Roughan and Whatmough will strengthen Manning's defensive options, while Hardie is set to add a clinical dimension to Huddersfield's forward ranks.

The 28-year-old struggled for game time at Wrexham this season, but previously showed his eye for goal when playing for Plymouth Argyle in both the Championship and League One.