Wagner: Cranie close to Terriers return

Cape Town - Huddersfield Town manager David Wagner is eager to see centre-back Martin Cranie return to the first team after the international break.

The 30-year-old suffered a hip flexor injury in pre-season which resulted in him missing the Terriers' unbeaten start to their Premier League campaign.

However, the former Barnsley captain looks set to be ready shortly after the international break, to the relief of Wagner who is struggling for depth in defence.

“I am happy with our centre-back situation,” said Wagner, as quoted by The Huddersfield Daily Examiner.

“Martin Cranie will be back after the international break and injuries are part of the game.

“We are Huddersfield Town, we are not able to build up such a big squad to secure ourselves against every injury.

“Martin, unfortunately, got injured in pre-season but after the international break for the West Ham game, or maybe the game after, he will be back in competition for the squad.

“Then we will have four centre-backs together, and we are unable to have more than four centre-backs in our squad with Jon Gorenc Stankovic waiting in the back. Hopefully he will be back around Christmas.”

Wagner's men face s struggling West Ham United side who will be desperate to win their first game of the season when the two sides meet at the London Stadium on September 11.

Kick off is at 21:00.