Huddersfield Town boss Liam Manning has admitted the club accelerated Ryan Hardie’s return from injury as they search for a boost in their fading play-off push.
The striker, on loan from Wrexham, made his first start for the Terriers in the 1-0 defeat away at Wigan Athletic after recently returning to match action.
Hardie had previously appeared from the bench in two matches following his move, including scoring a decisive goal against Barnsley. But the trip to the Brick Community Stadium marked the first time he had been trusted with a place in the starting line-up since arriving.
The decision came despite the Scottish forward still working his way back to full fitness after a knee problem sustained earlier in the season.
Manning acknowledged after the match that the club had effectively taken a gamble by involving the 28-year-old sooner than originally planned.
“We’ve rushed him back, we’re trying to get him back up to speed.”
“There was a little bit of rustiness in there today, but he also showed some moments of quality which is why we were so keen to bring him here.”
Hardie’s afternoon ended shortly before the decisive moment of the game, with Jensen Weir’s goal shortly after his substitution proving enough to secure victory for Wigan.
Despite the defeat, Manning insisted the minutes were important for the forward as Huddersfield look ahead to the closing stages of the campaign.
“He’s ahead of schedule, and we’ve taken a calculated risk to get him back in the team quickly.”
“In the run-in he’ll be key.”
Managing the striker’s fitness remains a delicate balance, with the Terriers careful not to overload him too quickly after his lay-off. Manning confirmed the club are constantly monitoring Hardie during the week as they build up his workload.
“We talk to him in the training week and look at what he needs.”
“In games we always knew he was going to be a relatively early change because of what he’s done in the last few months.”
Ryan Hardie career
Hardie joined Huddersfield on loan from Wrexham at the start of February in an attempt to strengthen their attacking options for the final stretch of the season.
Before moving to the Welsh club in 2025, the forward had established himself as a prolific goalscorer during his time with Plymouth Argyle, netting 53 goals in 179 league appearances. Earlier in his career, he also spent spells with Rangers, Blackpool and several Scottish clubs during a series of loans.
For Huddersfield, the hope is that once Hardie shakes off the remaining rust, he can provide the cutting edge needed in the final weeks of the campaign. Having dropped out of the top six last night, they need every bit of help they can get.
The gamble to bring him back earlier than expected may have carried risks, but with the play-off race tightening, the Terriers appear willing to take them. Remember, they took similar risks with Joe Taylor last season, and that backfired.
Maybe lessons haven’t been learned.