I feared my Town days were over!

January and it looked as though his days at the John Smith’s Stadium were numbered.

Up until that point, he had flattered to deceive and was out of the picture under then Town boss Danny Cowley.

The 24-year-old hadn’t played for three months at the time of his temporary transfer and it looked a long way back for the player who joined the Terriers for big money from Montpellier.

Mbenza had played just three games in his native France when the season was cancelled due to Covid in March.

But his saving grace came with a change in the dugout at the John Smith’s Stadium.

New coach Carlos Corberan handed him another chance and after putting in the hard yards during the close season, Mbenza has returned to action with Town with renewed vigour.

Tuesday night saw him post one of his best performances in a Terriers shirt as he ran Sheffield Wednesday ragged and scored a superb free-kick - his second of the season - in a 2-0 win.

“It was hard going out on loan because I thought it was the end of my time at Town,” Mbenza said, speaking in the latest edition of Town’s matchday programme The Terrier.

“I had always wanted to play in England, so getting to come here was a big moment.

“In my head, I hadn’t done enough for Huddersfield. I hadn’t shown my quality.

“So, when I went out on loan, I started to worry that my time playing in England was coming to an end.

“But this season, Carlos arrived and he called me in and said I was needed. I needed him and he needed me.

In my head I hadn’t

done enough for Huddersfield. I hadn’t

shown my quality