Monday 18 September 2017 19:07, UK
Huddersfield midfielder Kasey Palmer could return to action before the end of October, head coach David Wagner has revealed.
Palmer suffered a recurrence of an old hamstring injury while on recent international duty with England U21s.
The Chelsea loanee had been expected to be out until the new year but ahead of Tuesday night's Carabao Cup tie at Crystal Palace, Wagner had a more upbeat prognosis.
"There have been further discussions now between Chelsea's medical department and our medical department and another neutral specialist as well," Wagner said.
"So he has an injury, a serious injury, maybe not as bad as we thought in the beginning, but I don't expect him back before six to eight weeks.
"It makes no sense now, where he has so many setbacks with his hamstring, always the same one, to rush something. We need him back consistently."
Wagner also confirmed Collin Quaner will be sidelined for between 10-14 days due to a calf injury sustained in training and that fellow striker Steve Mounie will not travel as he is still struggling with a heel problem.
Joel Coleman will return in goal having replaced first-choice Jonas Lossl in Town's 2-1 win against Rotherham in the second round, but Wagner gave nothing else away as to other possible changes.
The Terriers stunned Palace with a 3-0 win at Selhurst Park on the opening day of the season, but Wagner laughed off suggestions his side are favourites to reach the fourth round of the competition for the first time in nearly 18 years.
"We've beaten them, but this doesn't mean we have to do it again," he said. "This doesn't help you, that you have beaten them.
"It's an open game. We'll try everything to be successful. Maybe, because of the changes they have done on the manager position, there will be a bigger difference in their game."
Wagner said he was looking forward to crossing swords with former England boss Roy Hodgson.
Hodgson, 70, lost his first game in charge of Palace 1-0 at home against Southampton on Saturday after replacing the sacked Frank de Boer four days earlier.
"The last time I met him I sat on the bench for Schalke in 1997 in the final of the UEFA Cup and he was the manager of Inter Milan," Wagner added.
"I'm not sure he knows I was on the bench. I know he was the manager of Inter. I was too small. I was no name he would recognise I'm sure.
"It's a very good memory because we won on a penalty shootout. No surprise, probably. But it was a long time ago."
