Football shorts: Gossip and news from Huddersfield Town, Leeds United, Bradford City and Premiership

The rugged central defender has started only one game for the club so far, at Preston in the Capital One Cup, but he’s very much in the frame now Joel Lynch is starting a three-match ban at Blackpool on Monday.

The 26-year-old former Cardiff City defender was sent on in the 3-1 victory at Hillsborough on Wednesday to cover for Lynch. The Liverpudlian said: “I came here to play games and maybe I’ll now get a chance and keep my place.”

Bradford City goalkeeper Jon McLaughlin is doubtful after being forced off in the 3-1 midweek win over Morecambe with a hip injury.

Matt Duke is on standby to fill in if the 21-year-old does not recover.

Leeds United manager Neil Warnock has urged everyone at the club to “stop feeling sorry for ourselves” ahead of tomorrow’s clash with big-spending Nottingham Forest tomorrow.

Back-to-back defeats since the international break together with a growing injury list that has left Warnock’s squad looking distinctly depleted.

Full story on Yorkshire Post website.

Elsewhere, Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has praised his young players following last night’s 5-3 away Europa League win. Speaking ahead of Sunday’s clash with Manchester United, Rodgers said: “It was a chance for the young players to seize that opportunity to play and I think they did that. It is a night of great pride for the club and certainly me as a manager.”

Jonjo Shelvey, 20, netted twice, while Andre Wisdom, 19, scored and showed promise alongside fellow debutants Suso, 18, and Oussama Assaidi, 24.

Also in the Europa League, Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas expects Uefa to investigate alleged racist chants at Jermain Defoe from Lazio supporters during the 0-0 draw at White Hart Lane.