Nahki Wells will be confident of continuing his potent pre-season form in Huddersfield Town’s Sky Bet Championship opener away to Hull City on Saturday.

Wells, who was Huddersfield’s top scorer last season with 14 goals, netted his fourth of pre-season in his team’s final warm-up match in a 2-1 defeat to League One side Barnsley at Oakwell at the weekend.

The 25-year-old put a smile on the faces of the 647 travelling Huddersfield supporters with a superb 20th-minute strike, earning the praise of Chris Powell, the Huddersfield manager.

“Nahki’s goal was excellent and he has looked sharp all pre-season,” Powell said.

“I think Nahki’s all-round game has come on. He’s not just playing off the shoulder now, but he’s getting involved in the build-up play. His runs are clever.

“The players know that if we can get Nahki one-on-one with defenders in those areas, there is only going to be one outcome.

“It was an outstanding goal [against Barnsley] with some good build-up play before it, which is what I want to see more of.”

Wells, who joined Huddersfield for club-record £1.3 million in January 2014, missed both legs of Bermuda second-round World Cup qualifying tie against Guatemala in June because of an ankle injury. Bermuda lost the tie 1-0 on aggregate.

Powell has been busy in the transfer market this summer, signing Jody Hiwula, a 20-year-old striker from Manchester City, for an undisclosed fee, as well as Martin Cranie, an experienced left back from Barnsley.

Dane Whitehead, the former Sunderland and Stoke City midfielder, has also joined from Championship rivals Middlesbrough, as well as midfielder Kyle Dempsey from Carlisle United and Australia defender Jason Davidson, who was released by West Bromwich Albion at the end of the season.

Departing from the John Smith’s Stadium have been midfielder Conor Coady, who has joined promotion-chasing Wolverhampton Wanderers for £2 million and striker Jon Stead, who had made the move to League Two side Notts County.

Hull, Huddersfield’s opponents this weekend, will look to make an immediate return to the top flight after suffering relegation from the Barclays Premier League last season.

Steve Bruce’s side have lost winger Robbie Brady, who has moved to Barclays Premier League new boys Norwich City for £7 million, as well as defender James Chester, who has signed for West Bromwich Albion for £8 million.

Yesterday, Assem Allam, the Hull chairman, described the Football Association as “amateurs” after the organisation blocked his plan to rebrand the club.

Allam wanted to rename the club Hull Tigers, but the change was rejected by the FA Council in July.