Mitchell backs Terriers challenge

Huddersfield Town caretaker coach Graham Mitchell believes new manager Lee Clark is inheriting a squad capable of challenging for promotion.

Clark will take charge of his first training session on Monday.

Mitchell told BBC Radio Leeds: "They've got some tough games over Christmas but they're good enough to be up there with a shout at the end of the season.

"That's nice for the manager to come in to be able to take a group of players like that."

He added: "He's got a good group of players to work with who showed (in Saturday's 1-0 win at Southend) what they're capable of.

"Along with me, I know (caretaker boss) Gerry Murphy will wish the new manager and the team every success."

Mitchell was in charge of the team for Saturday's 1-0 win at Southend in the absence of caretaker manager Gerry Murphy, who did not travel to Essex due to illness.

The pair have been in charge of first-team affairs since the sacking of Stan Ternent in November, during which the the team won four of their five league games.

Former Norwich assistant Lee Clark was confirmed as the new Huddersfield manager on Friday and watched from the stands at Roots Hall, although he did come down to the dressing room afterwards to congratulate his new charges.

The players since Gerry and I came in have been absolutely magnificent

Graham Mitchell

Mitchell said: "He just said well done, well played and I'll see you all on Monday - but what else can you say?

"We've got a good side here and I think we've got some good players.

"The pressure's on the players really - they've got themselves into the top 10 now.

"The players since Gerry and I came in have been absolutely magnificent.

606: DEBATE

Im over the moon at the current form, 5 wins out of 6 is fantastic, and thats without any strikers really knocking them in

Blue&White

"It's nice that they played the way they did and they won because for Murphy it cements one or two of the things that we've tried to do and I hope they go on and perform like that for the new manager and I hope he does great with them."

As to his own future, Mitchell said: "I'll go back and do the job that I do in the club anyway - I'll be the youth team coach or work in the academy and give the new manager and his staff all the support that he needs."