Huddersfield Town assistant head coach Martin Paterson says midfield duo Jonathan Hogg and Antony Evans are “getting closer” to making a return from injury.

Hogg has been sidelined since Town’s EFL Trophy defeat at Bolton Wanderers last month, where the captain sustained a calf injury in the warm-up after being selected to start the fixture. Evans hasn’t featured since a victory over Exeter City in October, with the summer recruit having been suffering with a toe problem.

Paterson indicated that the pair have stepped up their recoveries from injury, and is welcoming the prospect of having more players available for selection. However, one player who has been added to the injury list is Danny Ward, who had to come off early on in Sunday’s draw against Burton Albion.

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Providing an injury update in the lead up to the postponed clash at Wigan Athletic, which was due to take place on New Year’s Day, Paterson told HTTV: “We’ve got a few (who could return soon) – the skipper’s getting closer, we’ve got Antony Evans that is getting closer, but we’re just being careful to make sure that he comes back correctly. There are reinforcements coming. We need them, because we’re starting to pick up things and look bare in certain areas.

“I don’t know Danny’s injury, it’s not nice to see him leave the field, so I can’t discuss that in depth. It’s a shame to see him leave, but again it’s competition for places, making sure that we have as many bodies as possible for the manager to select.”

After Town’s fixture against the Latics had to be called off due to flooding in areas surrounding the Brick Community Stadium, the Terriers are now gearing up to take on Rotherham United next up at the John Smith’s Stadium on Saturday.

Michael Duff’s side remain fourth in the League One table despite not playing in midweek, while the Millers sit 17th in the division, with Steve Evans’ side heading into the clash off the back of a 1-0 win at Lincoln City on New Year’s Day.

Town drew 1-1 at home to bottom-of-the-table Burton Albion last time out, with Michal Helik’s late header cancelling out Charlie Webster’s first-half strike.

Paterson is eager to see his side carry over their second-half performance against the Brewers into Saturday's clash, while the assistant head coach also praised Town’s supporters for sticking with the team after a disappointing first-half showing.

Discussing his side’s preparation for games during the busy Christmas and New Year period, Paterson said: “A lot of the foundation’s been set really, of what the gaffer wants and what we’re coaching, nothing too much changes – little behaviours of each team differ and change, of how we hurt them or they hurt us. Ultimately, the focus is on us, making sure that we’re spot on.

“We saw today when we just lack a bit of concentration, we shoot ourselves in the foot, we make it hard for ourselves. Then you see the second half, when we actually concentrate, move the ball with a purpose and play with a little bit more intent, we’re a real dangerous team, and recorded 20-plus shots. There’s a lot of detail and a lot of tapes being watched, but it’s important that we just focus on ourselves, and we keep the momentum of 13 unbeaten.

“I thought the home support today was fantastic, if I’m honest. Second half, it would be easy [to turn on the team]. No disrespect, Burton are down there – I can say that, because I’ve been down there fighting for them before. A team that are in the bottom of the table go 1-0 up, I’ve seen crowds turn, I thought they were fantastic today, and the away supporters have been fantastic also. The players are aware of that, and so are the staff.”