Elphick out following knee surgery as Huddersfield take on Birmingham

Posted Thursday, November 21, 2019 by PA

Huddersfield will be without key centre-back Tommy Elphick for their Sky Bet Championship clash with Birmingham at the John Smith’s Stadium on Saturday.

Elphick faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines after undergoing surgery recently for a knee ligament injury sustained in the Terriers’ 3-1 defeat at Preston last time out. Jan Gorenc Stankovic, who replaced Elphick, is likely to deputise.

Left-back Jaden Brown and striker Fraizer Campbell, who both missed the game at Deepdale with ankle and hamstring injuries respectively, are doubtful, while right-back Danny Simpson, forced off in that match with a hip problem, is in contention.

Manager Danny Cowley at least has midfielder Jonathan Hogg available again after the completion of a one-match suspension.

The Blues go into the game without captain Harlee Dean who serves the second game of a three-match ban following his added-time red card in the 4-2 defeat at Cardiff on November 2.

Although boss Pep Clotet has no fresh injury worries after the international break, he remains without key midfielder Gary Gardner.

Clotet has confirmed he is expecting midfielder Gardner “to be back training with the main group next week” after a month-long lay-off to date with a knee injury.

Midfielder Maikel Kieftenbeld, who has not played since early April, is not expected to return until early next year as he continues his recovery from anterior cruciate ligament damage.