Huddersfield Town defender Josh Ruffels believes his side can draw upon their “team spirit” to pick up results over the Christmas period. The Terriers have a hectic Christmas schedule coming up, starting with a trip to face Cambridge United on Friday evening.

Town then host Stockport County on Boxing Day and Burton Albion on December 29, before they take on Wigan Athletic away from home on New Year’s Day. Michael Duff’s side then have three further fixtures to play up until January 11, and Ruffels believes that the togetherness of the squad can help them through the busy run of games.

Discussing this season’s squad at a recent press conference, the defender said: “I’d say there’s a lot of similarities to the first season I was here (the 2021/22 campaign). The changing room’s really strong, on and off the pitch we get on really well, and I think that does bode well for results. I think that shows if we do have a couple of setbacks, we always stick together and find a way to win the next game.

READ MORE: 'Little bit confused' - Huddersfield Town chief spells out his League One expectation

READ MORE: Huddersfield Town extend unbeaten League One run after battling Lincoln City draw

“To be honest, the last couple of weeks I don’t think we’ve played amazingly well, especially Mansfield with the conditions, and I think that’s going to be the case over the Christmas period. Especially in League One, the pitches aren’t great, but if you’ve got that kind of team spirit, and everyone knows their jobs and you trust each other, I think it does go a long way to winning a game.

“Keeping everyone fit, keeping everyone recovering well, and being professional on and off the pitch is massive for this period, and I trust that all the lads will be ready for it and raring to go.”

Town head into the Christmas period in good form, having won seven and drawn three of their last ten league matches, leaving them unbeaten in the division since a 1-0 loss at Birmingham City on October 1.

That run of results has moved the Terriers up to fourth in the League One table, with Duff’s side having registered 36 points from 19 matches played.

Ruffels’ involvement has increased in recent weeks, with the defender having featured in Town’s last five matches in all competitions. Ruffels has made just eight appearances in total this season, and spent around two-and-a-half months out of the side between featuring against Doncaster Rovers in early September and Leyton Orient in late November.

The defender is pleased that his recent appearances have been made in a side in good form, saying: “I’ve enjoyed it, I think it’s been great.

“I think it’s more difficult when you’re going into a losing team, because you really have to make an impact, but I’ve felt like I’ve been able to slot in quite nicely, and when the team’s on a good run and continually putting in good performances, it’s a nice feeling to come in and win.”

Ruffels is in his fourth season at the club, having joined from Oxford United in 2021, and the defender is out of contract this summer.

Asked about his future at the club, the 31-year-old said: “This opportunity’s a big one for me really. Hopefully the more game time I can get, I’ll keep working hard. I’ve always enjoyed playing for Huddersfield.

“It does come down to game time, and fingers crossed I can get that and keep enjoying my football. I’ve been out for a long time, and I’m desperate for that game time again. We’ll see what happens over the Christmas period, but I’m really desperate to play.”