Out of favour striker Nahki Wells will again be on the bench for Huddersfield Town today in one of their biggest games of the season, away to Newcastle United in front of more than 52,000 fans at St James’ Park.

Wells has not had a minute on the pitch so far in Huddersfield’s two league and cup matches as he recovers from a knee injury.

Yesterday, David Wagner, the Huddersfield head coach, said there was no reason to take the striker’s shirt off Elias Kachunga, who has scored two goals so far.

“Elias is flying at the moment and he has not only scored two goals in two games but he has worked hard for the team and he never gives up,” Wagner said.

“I thought before the Shrewsbury game that Nahki would get some minutes but it didn’t work out like that.

“He is looking very strong in training, though, very positive and he is smiling. He has no pain in his knee, he wants the ball and he scores goals, so he is mobile and agile and this is great.”

Wells is the subject of transfer speculation, though his manager insists the Bermudian is still very much a part of his plans.

“I’m very happy that we have this competition, it’s what we enjoy in every position, and if he and Elias get 15 or 20 goals each this season then I will be very happy,” Wagner told the Huddersfield Examiner.

Kachunga, 24, scored against both Brentford and Shrewsbury, and will lead the front line against Newcastle as Wells awaits his opportunity. Huddersfield will have more than 3,000 fans at the ground to cheer them on.

“He [Kachunga] works unbelievably hard and he lives the one-to-one challenge both in offence and defence,” said his manager.

“He is very quick and very dangerous and while he’s not the biggest, he has scored two headers already.

“Elias makes it difficult for the opposition to build their attacking game and he makes a great relationship with our other players on the pitch.

“There is not really a reason not to give him the shirt, but he knows he has to deliver that confidence and that form consistently, and confirm it every match.

“We have to help him in that, and every single player knows there is competition.”

In League One, Rai Simons is again likely to be on the bench as Chesterfield take on Swindon Town at home, while Reggie Lambe and Carlisle United host Plymouth Argyle in League Two.