Yuta Nakayama was given a run-out in Huddersfield Town’s behind-closed-doors friendly against Accrington Stanley at the Millers Oils High Performance Complex today
Yuta Nakayama has handed Huddersfield Town manager Neil Warnock a major fitness boost ahead of the 2023/24 Championship season. The defender made his first competitive appearance in over nine months in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Accrington Stanley today.
The Japan international played for the final 25 minutes of the clash at the Millers Oils High Performance Complex. It was Nakayama’s first outing since suffering a serious Achilles injury against Sunderland last November. The knock required surgery and restricted Nakayama to just 16 appearances in his first year in English football.
Warnock told the club’s website: “It was fantastic to have Yuta back out on the pitch today, as I know he’s been out for a long time.
“He came to Cornwall with us last week and was involved in all the training sessions with contact, but it’s a big moment for him to play in his first game since the injury.”
Attacking midfielder Brahima Diarra was also given a run-out, having returned from international duty with Mali’s Under-23 side in the Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Morocco. Striker Jordan Rhodes, who missed the pre-season training camp due to a minor knock, got some valuable minutes under his belt as well in the friendly. A total of 21 players featured against the League Two outfit.
Next up for Town is a trip to Stockport County. Saturday’s clash at Edgeley Park, which gets under way at 3pm, is the penultimate fixture of their pre-season programme.
The Terriers face Dutch side Heerenveen in their final friendly on Saturday, July 29. Their Championship opener sees them head to league newcomers Plymouth Argyle a week later.
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