Kevin Nagle can make Huddersfield Town millions - it involves Notts County | OneFootball

Rising Huddersfield Town star Tom Iorpenda has shone while on loan at Notts County and could eventually recoup the Terriers a handsome transfer fee

Huddersfield Town's League One play-off hopes have faded in recent weeks, but a brighter future could be in store for the Terriers in the seasons to come.

The West Yorkshire club have won just one of their last five third-tier games, and have slipped to ninth place, three points adrift of sixth-place Stevenage, who boast a game in hand over them.

Terriers boss Liam Manning initially enjoyed a strong start to life in charge of the League One club after replacing Lee Grant, earning successive wins over local rivals Bradford City, Luton Town, and Peterborough United in his first three games.

However, a largely poor spell of form has followed, and Huddersfield may have to wait another season to book their spot in the play-offs for the first time since suffering relegation from the Championship in 2024.

Huddersfield Town star Tom Iorpenda has been a class act on loan at Notts County

The Terriers' play-off chances are slipping away this campaign, but there are strong signs that a brighter future could be in store for the West Yorkshire outfit, even if Manning can't turn their form around.

Huddersfield academy graduate Tom Iorpenda endured a lack of senior game time with the Accu Stadium club in both of the last two seasons, but he has excelled on loan at Notts County in League Two this term.

Iorpenda has been a key asset for the Magpies, who still have every chance of sealing automatic promotion to League One, and will land a play-off spot if they don't finish in the top three, barring a dramatic downturn in form.

The 20-year-old has operated as both an attacking midfielder and in a deeper midfield role for Martin Paterson's men, and showed his quality in the final third by scoring a stunning solo effort to help inspire Saturday's 5-2 victory over Cheltenham Town.

Iorpenda was also an influential figure in a 4-0 triumph over Accrington Stanley and a 2-1 win at Walsall earlier this month, adding further evidence that he has a bright future ahead.

The starlet's strong performances in League Two suggest that he could be a real star for Huddersfield in the third tier as soon as next season, and could eventually help Terriers owner Kevin Nagle recoup a handsome transfer fee.

Before joining the West Yorkshire outfit in 2021, Iorpenda also spent time in Brighton's youth academy, showing that he has enjoyed a rich football education.

Huddersfield Town struggles could actually help Tom Iorpenda

Huddersfield actually occupied a League One play-off spot when they sacked Grant following their 3-1 defeat at Burton Albion in January, so they have become a worse side since Manning took the managerial reins.

Current form suggests that this season will mark the second consecutive campaign in which the Terriers have failed to land a top-six place in the third tier since suffering relegation from the Championship.

Those developments will be tough to take for a fan base who witnessed their side reach the second-tier play-off final as recently as 2022.

However, the fact that Huddersfield are likely to stay in League One is good news for Iorpenda, whose League Two showings suggest that he is capable of adjusting well to life back in the third tier.

Championship football may be a step too far for the 20-year-old at this stage in his career, though.

Iorpenda has plenty of potential, suggesting that he can shine in League One for the Terriers and can eventually help the West Yorkshire side push on by earning them a strong transfer fee when he moves on.