Nahki Wells insists he is loving life at Sky Bet Championship leaders Huddersfield Town despite playing second fiddle to first-choice striker Elias Kachunga.

Wells, whose pre-season was interrupted by a knee injury, has made five appearances this season but is yet to complete a full 90 minutes and came on as second-half substitute in his team’s 1-0 win away to Leeds United at the weekend.

The 26-year-old was linked with several Championships clubs during the transfer window, including Aston Villa and Norwich City, but said he is more than happy with the way things are going at the John Smith’s Stadium.

“It’s a bit of a foreign feeling to be top of the league,” Wells told the Huddersfield Examiner.

“Now the challenge is to put together another strong run up to the next international break [five matches away].”

Wells, who has scored once this season, believes there is no reason why Huddersfield, who have taken 16 points from six games, cannot push on ahead of today’s game away to Brighton and Hove Albion.

“In and around the club, we felt we could do better than last season,” he said.

“Previously there was a feeling we were hanging on in this division, but every aspect of the club has been improved, on and off the pitch from grass roots to sea level. All the percentages have been boosted in favour of us being more competitive.

“While our results were mixed last season, I think as players, we knew the performances were improving. We knew we had to improve defensively, and a lot of work has gone in to doing that.

“We have brought in new and better-quality players so we have a stronger squad, and the manager has now had a pre-season to work with us.”

Kachunga, a loan signing from FC Ingolstadt with a view to a permanent move, is ahead of Wells in the pecking order although David Wagner, the Huddersfield head coach, has played the two alongside each other on occasions.

“It was a bit of a surprise that the manager changed his ways, but it pretty much worked,” said. Wells, who has scored once this season. “I’m playing catch-up and my next aim is to play a full match. I am certainly on my way, and my fitness levels are good.

“It could be that we go with two strikers again, and if it happens, we will try our best to do well together. If Elias and I are competing for one place, that’s fine too.”