Tommy’s battling back
TOMMY Elphick has proved a valuable member of the Huddersfield Town team, even though he hasn’t played since last November.
The 32-year-old promotion winner with Brighton, Bournemouth and Aston Villa suffered a season-ending knee injury in the defeat at Preston.
Surgery followed and then the long, lonely hours of rehabilitation, but when the last campaign resumed, Elphick travelled to every game to offer the Terriers squad his support home and away.
Indeed, for the final match at Millwall, Elphick was made part of the coaching team alongside caretaker boss Danny Schofield and assistant Jonathan Worthington.
The fact they wanted Elphick as the closest link to the playing squad was significant, while the player himself has made it clear he’s determined to battle his way back into contention for a shirt under new head coach Carlos Corberan.
There is still a little way to go for that to happen, but Elphick who signed from Villa in the summer of 2019 - is progressing well.
He is not yet ready to join the Town squad on the grass at Canalside, but he is making positive strides.
Elphick is contracted to Town for this season, with the club having the option to extend those terms by a further 12 months.
The popular professional faces competition when he’s fit from captain Christopher Schindler, fellow experienced central defender Richard Stearman, exciting prospect Rarmani Edmonds-Green and possibly Terence Kongolo, unless a move for the Dutch record signing eventually goes through and he leaves the John Smith’s Stadium.