KACHUNGA BACK IN FULL TRAINING AND KEEN TO HELP TOWN AHEAD OF CRUNCH PALACE CLASH

IF you’d have told me six months ago that I’d be a vocal supporter of Huddersfield Town, or even that I’d be hungrily watching the Premier League, I would have been pretty shocked.

Looking back, the circumstances don’t seem that odd. I played a variety of sports growing up, netball and karate among them, and I have a partner who’s both an avid fan of all things sport and Tottenham.

Which leads me (pictured below) on to how I came to Town.

My desire to watch football first started during Australia’s FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign last year. It wasn’t the easiest introduction, with plenty of moans and groans to be had as we struggled our way through a grueling period – particularly our penultimate two-legged tie against Syria. But it was that introduction that truly got me thinking about following the game.

There was so much passion and fight – yet along with it the prospect of class, depth and precision – that made it a game I could get behind.

It was our own Aaron Mooy, with a penchant for precise crosses, quick thinking and creative play who was my direct gateway to Town and the Premier League. Watching him battle with the Socceroos and being instrumental for them made me want to see him on the world stage, and what better way to do that than follow his ups and downs in one of the greatest football leagues?

At this point you could be thinking, if Mooy took an opportunity at a more prestigious club – and there’s no doubting at least a little interest in him there – would I still be a Town fan? Good question. I remember reading about the Terriers’ loss to Manchester City in November – Rajiv van La Parra getting sent off after the final whistle, minimal possession and a pretty intense atmosphere. But in those 90 minutes, Town exemplified all the fight that I’d seen Mooy embody throughout his time with the Socceroos, and against one of the best clubs in the world right now.

That’s when I started putting all future games into my calendar - and it didn’t stop there. I started building my dream formation for games, including having both strikers, Steve Mounié and Laurent Depoitre, on the field.

It’s an interesting thing being a Town fan from the other side of the world. As much as I want to follow the club on Twitter, I have to keep my distance in case a result is spoiled. I did bend the rules somewhat by following individual players, but that hasn’t always turned out for the best. I’d watch ‘Match Day’ videos and see the incredible atmosphere our fans bring, wishing I was at the John Smith’s Stadium instead of behind a computer screen in my bedroom.

Yet, it also makes the joy that much sweeter. Being surprised for my birthday with a Town jersey in a pizza box, having impassioned conversations with my dad – who’s a vocal Liverpool supporter and got to see his team play Sydney FC at ANZ Stadium – and my partner and I watching our teams play each other just a few weeks ago… Those are moments I won’t take for granted.

I’m grateful to my partner for bringing me into the football world, to Mooy for being the gateway to Town, and Wagner and the team for the spirit they bring to each game and the rest of us fans around the world. HUDDERSFIELD Town midfielder Elias Kachunga is delighted to be back in training after recovering from a knee injury sustained against Watford in December.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo international fired home his first Premier League goal at Vicarage Road, but was carried off the pitch on a stretcher after 18 minutes, after a collision with Horents keeper Heurelho Gomes.

Later scans revealed a Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) injury, but the 25-year-old has worked hard with Town’s medical staff to return to first team training ahead of the weekend clash with Crystal Palace.

Kachunga told the club’s official website: “I’m really happy [to be back in training.

“I think it’s been a long time since I’ve been out and with the team.

“Last week I trained with the team and this week was the proper week with them on the grass. I’m really happy to be back.

“I think everyone who plays football knows how hard it is when you can only stay in the gym, train on your own and only go on the grass with the fitness coach to do your runs, doing all the stuff you have to do.

“I’m happy to be back with the team, to make jokes with my teammates and have fun on the pitch.

“We’ve got some really important games coming up. I think the next game against Crystal Palace is really important for us at home.

“We need the three points to make a big step in the right direction for us.

“I hope I have a good week and then hopefully on the weekend I might be on the grass.”