Dean makes debut with coaching role

TOWN have been selected for another live TV date in the Premier League.

David Wagner’s side will now be screened against Manchester City at the John Smith’s Stadium on Sunday, January 20.

It will be a 1.30pm kick-off, with the match being moved back 24 hours.

In addition to the TV game, one more Premier League fixture is being switched – and it’s an important holiday assignment.

The New Year’s Day home 3pm clash with Burnley will now take place 24 hours later on Wednesday, January 2, and it will have a 7.45pm kick-off.

This match is not being televised.

It has been moved because Burnley’s previous match against West Ham has been selected for TV, so they have the right to shift their next game on a day, and that happens to be against Town at the John Smith’s Stadum.

So the new home match days are Sunday, January 20 (Manchester City, 1.30pm) and Wednesday, January 2 (Burnley, 7.45). ALEX Pritchard can make things happen for Town as the Premier League season kicks back into action against Liverpool.

That belief comes from midfield colleague, Jonathan Hogg, who feels the former Norwich City star is beginning to flourish in blue and white stripes.

No.10 Pritchard started the opening two Premier League fixtures of the season against Chelsea and Manchester City, but was dropped working with David Wagner and the first-team set-up at PPG Canalside to further his coaching education.

This week, he has been working alongside academy manager Leigh Bromby to prepare for the match at Lincoln.

Whitehead, of course, brings massive experience to the role and has the full backing of head coach Wagner.

When the decision was made to step into coaching, Town were more than happy to give him the opportunity.

At the time, Wagner said: “It is so important that we keep top-quality individuals like Dean and Mark Hudson here and I’m so happy that Dean has decided to begin his coaching career at Huddersfield Town. to the bench against Cardiff City, when he was an unused substitute.

The 25-year-old was then left on the bench by head coach David Wagner for the following four matches, including the Carabao Cup defeat at Stoke City, playing just 63 minutes in the process.

He returned to the starting side, however, in an encouraging personal and team display against Tottenham Hotspur, his first club, and topped that performance with another lively showing in the 1-1 draw at Burnley.

“Some of the positions he got into against Burnley were fantastic,” said Hogg, who captained the side with club skipper, Tommy Smith, not in the matchday 18.

“He is one of those you need to get on the ball and I’m sure he will make things happen.

“Alex hasn’t played much over the past six weeks, but he has played well in the past two games and credit to him.

“He has come in and been brilliant.”

Despite leaving him out at times this season, Wagner rates Pritchard highly – awarding him a three-anda-half year contract at the John Smith’s Stadium.

And Town have the option of extending that deal for a further year.

When Pritchard signed in January, Wagner said: “He is exactly the type of player that we like to work with at this club.

“Alex is a young, British player who arrives as one of the top performers in the Sky Bet Championship and with a desire to prove himself in the Premier League.

“Now we will work hard with him to give him every possibility of being a success for us in the top division.”

“Dean is a winner. He demands 100 per cent effort from himself and everyone around him, he commands respect and is top quality in everything he does.”

Whitehead helped Town win promotion to the Premier League in 2016-17 and featured seven times last season as the club secured their survival in the top flight.

The former Sunderland, Stoke City and Middlesbrough player made the 548th and final league appearance of his career when going on as a late substitute in the concluding match of the campaign at home to the Gunners.

The postcode for any travelling Town fans who want to keep their blue and white football fix and watch the Under-17s is LN6 0EP. Kick-off is 11am.