Terriers striker signs up for survival fight

Huddersfield Town's Under 21s striker Max Leonard has joined Garforth's relegation battle.

The Championship side's Academy player moved on a month's loan to the Evo-Stik NPL First Division North Miners on Friday and is expected to go straight into Vernol Blair's squad for Saturday's home game against Cammell Laird.

Leonard has netted one goal in five starts and two substitute appearances for the Terriers' Under 21s Development team. He will continue his daily training with their squad but also train with Garforth once a week.

The striker is set to come up against two of his club teamates when Garforth travel to Radcliffe Borough on Saturday December 29 with Town's also Matt Crooks and James Burke on loan there.

Huddersfield's Senior Professional Development Coach Steve Eyre believes Leonard will thrive on Garforth's relegation fight.

He said: "We train very well and very hard, but obviously players feed off confidence as well and games can do that. Max, along with the other lads, is willing to take this challenge on in order to enhance his career and work towards a really good second half of the season.

"Garforth Town has a lot to play for; they will be really battling. I’m looking for Max to become a part of that and add to the talent that has already been honed at this club. If we can add that to his game, I think we’ll be looking at a better professional.

"There is a benefit for the young lads to go into a different, competitive environment. The style of football might be different, but at the same time we want to enhance their fitness so they are ready to kick-start the Under-21 development programme from 14 January onwards."