Cooper hoping to play his part in Town’s historic bid

The on-loan Hull City defender made his first start for the Terriers last weekend as Yeovil Town were beaten 1-0, a result that means the Yorkshire club have now not been beaten in 41 league games. Should Town avoid defeat at home to Walsall today, they will match the previous record for unbeaten games set by Nottingham Forest 33 years ago.

For Cooper, the visit of the Saddlers represents not only a chance to make history but also a first start in the league at the Galpharm Stadium and the defender is keeping his fingers crossed that he will get the nod from Clarke.

He said: “I had waited a long time so it was the best feeling in the world, especially as we got the result.

“I like to think I made my mark last weekend but it was a scrappy game – not one that every player will like to be involved in.

“However, I think all the lads showed that we can do that side of the game and come out on top when the performance isn’t so good, which is what you need to win a league.

“Huddersfield Town is a great club – it is going places. I think everyone in the football world knows that too. I am enjoying it here and my aim is to play games.”

The Galpharm Stadium crowd are likely to be in buoyant mood ahead of kick-off as supporters get their first chance to acclaim Clark’s decision to stay at the club despite the advances of Leicester City.

After the fans had woken to reports in the national media that the Town manager was on his way, the 38-year-old is guaranteed a rapturous reception.

Far more important to Clark, however, will be his side’s attempts to claim a win that would maintain their place in the automatic promotion places.

On the challenge facing Town, Cooper, whose previous starts before Yeovil had all come in the cups, added: “I don’t think you should presume anything for any game. You have to put the hard work in during training with the hope that your name is on the team-sheet come Saturday.

“We have got great competition for places and that is no bad thing. It is good that you are being tested and that someone is right behind you. Yeovil wasn’t our best performance by a long way but we are aiming to get back to a true Huddersfield performance against Walsall as we look for another three points.”