Bruce stands firm on rotation
Hull manager Steve Bruce makes no apologies for using his squad players in the Capital One Cup as he keeps his eyes on remaining in the top flight.
Bruce made a full 11 changes for the second-round success over Leyton Orient - though he did need Robbie Brady to come from the bench to score the winning goal - and is ready to make widespread alterations again when Huddersfield visit the KC Stadium.
Survival in the Barclays Premier League is the overarching aim of the Tigers' season and a third-round clash against the Terriers is not likely to deflect Bruce's focus.
He has ready-made stand-ins in several positions, with Steve Harper on hand to relieve Allan McGregor in goal, Alex Bruce and Abdoulaye Faye trusted to take over at centre-half and out-of-favour strikers Matty Fryatt and Nick Proschwitz available to reprise their forward pairing from the Orient game.
The side are less well stocked on the flanks and in central midfield, though first-teamers Stephen Quinn and David Meyler may appreciate additional game time having spent more time on the bench than the pitch thus far.
Asked after Saturday's impressive 3-2 success at Newcastle if he would make alterations to his winning team, Bruce said: "Yes, many.
"We're not going to be disrespectful to the competition but we made a lot (of changes) last time and we'll certainly do that again."
Tom Huddlestone, a club-record signing from Tottenham in the summer, has been in fine form in recent games and is one of those likely to be handed a rest.
He had rather too many weeks on the sidelines in his last couple of seasons at Spurs but accepts Bruce's selection policy is not going to change for Huddersfield.
"First and foremost, we have got to try to sustain Premier League status for next season, but if you can have a good cup run as well, it bodes well," said Huddlestone.
"The manager has got a fairly deep squad as well - the last round in the cup, he changed 11 players and they got the right result, so he is fully within his rights to do that again, I guess."
Bruce's conviction that his top performers should not be risked will only have increased in the closing moments of the Newcastle match when James Chester suffered a hamstring injury.
He will now join club captain Robert Koren (broken foot) on the sidelines, while Paul McShane and Maynor Figueroa are also short of full fitness.
Huddersfield are expected to be without injured defender Joel Lynch.
Lynch was withdrawn from Saturday's goalless draw at Blackburn after taking a bang on the knee and his replacement Calum Woods could return to the starting line-up.
Winger Danny Ward hopes to shake off an ankle injury sustained last week in training in order to stake his claim, while manager Mark Robins has confirmed he will make several changes with Friday's home league game against Blackpool in mind.
Midfielders Oliver Norwood and Oscar Gobern, plus striker Sean Scannell are among those hoping to feature and Robins, who has no other selection issues, could hand several youngsters a chance to shine.
Source: PA
Source: PA