Grant relishing 'special occasion' of derby day
Grant: 'They're really special occasions'
- Published
Huddersfield Town manager Lee Grant has been speaking to the media ahead of Saturday's West Yorkshire derby visit to Bradford City (12:30 BST).
Here are the main talking points:
Jack Whatmough will miss the game due to a calf injury he sustained in the 3-2 win over Peterborough United. The defender is set to miss 3-4 weeks. Lynden Gooch will not be available again but Grant is hopeful that he could be back in contention for next week's visit of Burton Albion.
On-loan Chelsea forward Leo Castledine is in contention to start after his positive impact from the bench in the victory over Peterborough. However, Grant is very happy with his starters performances alongside how his substitutes have made a difference coming off the bench.
Having had no midweek fixture, Grant has enjoyed spending time with his players on the training ground and has 'loved' the energy around the place this week.
Grant says derbies are the 'best ones' to play in after he experienced Derby County v Nottingham Forest, Sheffield Wednesday v Sheffield United and Burnley v Blackburn during his career. He says all three of those derbies are special and unique and has no doubt that Huddersfield's with Bradford City will be too. He and his players are relishing the game.
He knows Bradford City manager Graham Alexander personally from their playing days, with two team-mates at Burnley, and says he knows both sets of players will be looking forward to the "great occasion".
Grant described Alexander as a "solid human" and remembers giving Alexander the guard of honour the day he made 1,000 appearances. The feat blew Grant away as he appreciates how much work goes into playing professional football.
Wary of Bradford's brilliant home form this season [they have all four matches in league and cup], Grant says his side must work hard this week and recognise the context of what the week and the game will be.
Grant is not surprised at how well Bradford City have started under Alexander's guidance.
Listen to the full pre-match interview with Lee Grant and more on Sounds.
