By Gordon Sharrock Wanderers aim to consolidate their position as pacemakers in the race for the Premiership tomorrow with Colin Todd predicting: "If we get up there again, we'll stay there."

The manager believes his high-flying team has what it takes to stay ahead of the promotion chasing pack.

And before he sent them out to face their latest test at home to mid-table Huddersfield, he made it clear that he sees Wanderers eventually becoming a force in the top flight.

Todd, who picked up his second successive Nationwide Manager of the Month Award today, says the move to the new stadium next August could give the club added impetus as they attempt to break into the big time.

"You never want to tempt fate," he cautioned, "but with the new stadium, which is a step in the right direction, and knowing what I learned last season, I think we can stay in the Premiership, if we do manage to get there.

"It will take time; it might take three years but the main thing will be to consolidate, which we didn't do last year."

Todd has earmarked three new signings, as he says "to get us to the Premiership and to help us stay there".

But tomorrow he will stand by the players who have already blazed a trail to the top - three points clear of second placed Norwich - with the exception of skipper Gudni Bergsson, who limped out of Tuesday night's dramatic 2-1 victory over Reading with a groin injury, and possibly 11-goal Nathan Blake, who missed the game after injuring his ankle in training and faces a fitness check.

Irrespective of his starting line-up, the manager says he will have three outfield players on the substitutes' bench - despite the dramatic midweek events when John McGinlay had to spend half an hour in goal after Keith Branagan had been sent off.

"Lightning won't strike twice!" he said confidently.

Huddersfield, who will include ex-Wanderer Wayne Burnett in midfield, are again expected to be without their four most expensive signings - centre back Andy Morrison, midfielder Lee Makel and strikers Andy Payton and Marcus Stewart. But Steve Jenkins, who missed Wednesday's battling 0-0 draw at Wolves, is expected to return at right back after recovering from a bout of food poisoning.

Huddersfield haven't won in six league and cup games but Todd, who saw them at Molineux, warned: "We'll still have to work hard and move the ball better than we did the other night."

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