Huddersfield Town boss Mark Fotheringham has confirmed that there are no injury issues with Terriers defender Yuta Nakayama after he wasn't selected for last night's clash with Luton Town.

The Japanese international was absent from the Huddersfield Town squad altogether, in fact.

The 25-year-old has been a relative mainstay so far this season having made nine Championship appearances, but, Luke Mbete was preferred last night.

When asked if he was left out due to injury, Fotheringham explained, via YorkshireLive: "No issues,"

"Yuta is a great boy and he’s been doing well.

"Yuta had a week away last week with international duty so he’s got to get in here and find the way I train. He’s only had I think two days’ training.

Speaking to the media prior to that, Fotheringham offered further insight into his decision to go with Luke Mbete at left-centre-back from the start, a player who had a very difficult night and was hooked at half time.

“I just felt the balance was good today and that was important for me." Fotheringham explained.

 

 

"When I choose a team or a starting eleven I focus on how they’ve trained, so it’s not so much tactical at times, it’s about how they’ve trained: what their commitment is like in training, do they have the eye of the tiger, do they have the fire in their belly to go and win the duels.

"This is something I focus on and that’s what I pick my team on – and that’s not going to change.”

Huddersfield next face Hull City in Championship action this Sunday.

Kick off at the John Smiths Stadium is scheduled for 12PM UK time.

The Verdict

I guess you can sort of understand Mark Fotheringham's reasoning behind not choosing Nakayama in the starting line up and perhaps some saw it coming after he was taken off at half time versus Reading at the weekend.

However, I would argue he should have at least been a part of the matchday squad.

Given Fotheringham's comments, perhaps he just isn't seeing it from the Japanese international in training, with the player having only trained twice under the new boss, whilst others will have had much more time given the international break.

That does beg the question, though, why did he start the 25-year-old away at Reading on Saturday?