RETURN THE FAVOUR

Deadly Ward so delighted he went back to Town after all

STEVE JUDGE DANNY WARD mode.

BY

is in repeat

After last season’s injury woes had the Huddersfield striker believing the old adage ‘never go back to a former team’, he is in the form of his life. Ward’s hat-trick against Reading was the first by a Terrier since he fired a treble at Watford during his first spell with the club in May 2014.

But his post-match celebration with the travelling supporters was more to do with Jonathan Hogg than Groundhog Day.

Ward, 30, said: “It was not so much that Hoggy persuaded me to do it, I was going over anyway but he just picked me up and chucked me into the middle to celebrate with the fans. They’re the moments we play football for.

“Last season I did think it was true that you should never go back. It was a nightmare with injury.

“This season I have been available for every game, and been getting on the scoresheet. I am loving my football, playing for my home-town club.

After Daniel Sinani had equalised for the Terriers, Ward grabbed two opportunist goals to put Huddersfield 3-2 inside a basketballstyle opening 25 minutes. The first came after Sorba Thomas’ shot landed at his feet, then he was gifted the second when keeper Luke Southwood dropped Thomas’ freekick. But his third on 53 minutes was a stunning 25-yard strike which lifted Huddersfield into sixth place.

Now the striker, who helped the Terriers win the League One playoffs in 2012, believes they can repeat the club’s 2017 charge to the Premier League.

Ward added: “The performances this season have shown we are capable of beating anyone in the league. It is exciting times.

“The belief that we can make the play-offs has got to be there – otherwise there is no real point in playing.”

After a 7-0 chiller against Fulham two home games ago, this sevengoal thriller at least gave under pressure Reading boss Veljko Paunovic reason to be optimistic.

Lucas Joao scored five minutes into his first start since August, and fellow striker George Puscas notched for the first time since April with another breakaway goal, while Michael Morrison headed in the third from a corner.

Paunovic said: “It’s very good for Joao on his practically first appearance since the start of the season. Coming back in this shape is very good for him and the team.

“I’m also very happy for Puscas – he had his best performance since I’ve been here because of the goal, a fantastic mentality, fight, cohesion with Joao and Jon Swift.”