Arsenal and Barcelona stars provide inspiration for Huddersfield Town midfielder Jon Russell

Jon Russell has pushed himself into the first team and played so well he finds himself very much in the mix to start against the league leaders in Huddersfield Town’s clash with Fulham.

It’s been quite the rise for the Terriers' midfielder signed for the B Team last summer and he is enjoying both life with the club and his time in the area.

“It’s a very different pace of life but we like it up north, we moved up here when I was at Accrington,” said the midfielder, “we’ve got the dogs so we love the greenery and we love the walks – we really like it here.”

Russell has featured several times for the first team after playing a role in the B Team’s Premier League Cup campaign, a tournament they progressed through this week with a 2-0 win over Newcastle United without him. He was quick to recognise the success of his first season in West Yorkshire on all fronts.

“I always wanted to be in someone’s first team – that was what I was always planning to do by going to a Championship team. Coming here to play for the B Team knowing I’ve got to do well to get into the first team – it’s been a good thing,” he said speaking before the weekend’s trip to Fulham, “finally, getting my chance has been what I’ve been working for.”

He’s also learning from those around them as Town are currently blessed with a good stock of central midfielders. Whilst Jonathan Hogg and Lewis O’Brien remain first choice Russell is also competing with the likes of Carel Eiting, Scott High, and even Duane Holmes for a role in midfield.

“You have to look at the players that are ahead of you and learn from them,” Russell said when asked about the chance to learn from this current first team squad, “I look at them and think what are they doing that I’m not