Terriers to make late goalkeeping choice

HUDDERSFIELD boss David Wagner admits he has yet to determine his first-choice goalkeeper, with Jonas Lossl pushing for a recall against Cardiff.

Ben Hamer, a summer signing from Leicester, has started the Terriers’ first two matches after Lossl’s involvement in the World Cup, but that has proved a thankless task.

Defeats of 3-0 and 6-1 against Chelsea and Manchester City mean the 30-year-old has picked the ball out of his own net more than any other keeper in the top flight and Lossl, who wears the number one shirt, is pushing hard.

“Now we have exactly what we wanted to have in more or less every position – competition – and this is the case with the goalkeepers as well,” said Wagner.

“This is a difference to last year. (An established goalkeeper) is usually what you like to have but for this to happen someone has to be a consistent performer on their best level, then we will have a number one. That is the same for the number one shirt, the number 10 shirt, the number two...whatever.

“Jonas came back after the off season not in the best condition or shape, but worked very hard with the goalkeeping coach and fitness department to come back to the shape he needs to be at his best.”

Wagner was also quick to dismiss the Cardiff clash as an all-or-nothing affair for either side.

“If you win a cup final you have a trophy, if you lose a cup final everything is over,” he said.

“We will not lift a trophy after this game, even if we win, and it isn’t over if we lose. It is an important game because it is the next one.

“T It is always good for your mood if you collect points early but we should not make the mistake of comparing seasons with each other.”