Potential Tom Iorpenda 'issue' raised at Huddersfield Town as Terriers told to act | OneFootball

FLW's Huddersfield Town fan pundit has given his verdict on whether Tom Iorpenda could be involved next season after his loan spell at Notts County.

Huddersfield Town will be hoping to challenge for promotion in League One next season under new head coach Martin Drury.

After Liam Manning was granted compassionate leave in March, Drury took charge for the final seven games of last season alongside Jon Stead, but he was unable to guide Huddersfield into the play-offs, with the Terriers finishing the campaign in ninth place.

Drury was handed the managerial role on a permanent basis in May after it was confirmed that Manning would not be returning to the Accu Stadium, and it has been a busy start to the summer as the 40-year-old stamps his mark on the squad.

Huddersfield have made four new signings so far this summer in Matty Young, Ilias Bronkhorst, Ethan Brierley and Ashley Fletcher, while there have also been some high-profile exits, with Lee Nicholls and Ruben Roosken departing permanently and Alfie May and Dion Charles making loan moves elsewhere.

Drury will likely be keen to strengthen his squad further in the remaining weeks of the transfer window, but he also has a big decision to make on the future of midfielder Tom Iorpenda, who has returned from an impressive loan spell at Notts County.

Iorpenda scored three goals and provided eight assists in 53 appearances for the Magpies last season to help them to promotion to League One via the play-offs, while he was also nominated for League Two's Young Player of the Year award.

However, Huddersfield have already brought in one new midfielder this summer in Brierley, and they have also been linked with Archie Collins, who is attracting interest from a number of Championship and League One clubs after leaving Peterborough United, raising questions about whether Iorpenda will be part of Drury's plans next season.

Huddersfield Town fan verdict issued on Tom Iorpenda after Notts County stint

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When asked for his thoughts on Iorpenda's future, FLW's Huddersfield Town fan pundit Graeme Rayner insisted that the 21-year-old should be given a chance at the Accu Stadium next season, and he also urged the Terriers to tie him down to a new contract as he enters the final year of his current deal.

"Tom Iorpenda is really superb prospect who is homegrown," Graeme told FLW.

"He had a great season at Notts County last season, so it would be nice to see him stay.

"It's been a while since we had a really good academy product who has gone on to establish themselves in the first team for any sustained length of time.

"Brodie Spencer did it for a little while, but not really long enough.

"Lewis O'Brien is probably the last really good example.

"It would be great to have someone in the team to established themselves in the way that I think he could do.

"We do have midfield options, but I think we're working on thinning those out.

"It sounds like Herbie Kane is probably on his way to MK Dons, and I think Tom Iorpenda could really stake a claim in the first team next season.

"I think the issue is whether or not he or, perhaps more importantly, his agent really want to pursue that.

"If he does, then let's get him signed to a decent contract and have him stake a claim in the first team.

"His brother has just signed a renewed contract, so hopefully that bodes well.

"It would be really good to see him stay, and let's see what he can do.

"I think he's the brightest prospect we've got at the club personally, so I would want to see him stay."

Tom Iorpenda could save Huddersfield Town a big transfer headache this summer

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Iorpenda featured in all 46 of Notts County's league games during the regular campaign last season, as well as starting their three play-off ties, underlining just how much of a key role he played in the Magpies' promotion.

Having proven himself in League Two, Iorpenda will now be keen to make a name for himself at a higher level, but as Huddersfield will be aiming for promotion next season, it remains to be seen whether Drury is willing to give opportunities to young players.

However, Iorpenda certainly did enough at Meadow Lane last season to earn a chance at the Accu Stadium, and if he can make the step up to League One, it could save the Terriers having to spend on a new midfielder this summer.