Chris Brandon insists he has no problem with Stan Ternent.

One of the new Huddersfield manager’s first tasks was to inform the midfielder he was not in his plans.

But that rejection, after four years with the club, paved the way for Brandon to complete his “dream” move to the side he grew up following.

And, publicly at least, the 32-year-old bears no grudge with the gaffer who let him go.

Brandon said: “Each new manager has got his own ideas and you have to accept those things in football.

“He wants to put his own stamp on the club and sometimes players have to be sacrificed so he’s got the room to bring in new signings.

“But I’ve got no gripes with Stan whatsoever. I think it’s done me a favour really.

“I needed a change and it gave me the chance to play for my home-town club so it’s worked out really well.

“I’m really looking forward to the season and we’ve got a good chance to go on and stake a claim for promotion.”

But Brandon will be a very fidgety spectator at tomorrow night’s Carling Cup battle for local bragging rights.

He is still getting over the ankle injury suffered at Motherwell, which will keep him out for another couple of weeks.

“Of course it’s frustrating to be missing this game,” he said.

“When I saw the draw come up, I couldn’t believe it and I would have loved to have gone back to my old club and put in a good performance.

“I had some good times there and enjoyed it all. I made some good friends and had a decent rapport with their fans.

“Time moves on and it would have been nice to go back and turn them over with Bradford City but this little knock has set me back a bit and there’s no point in taking a risk.

“It’s a long season and you’ve got to be prepared for that. For the sake of one game, you could jeopardise things long term.

“But I’m sure the other lads will go out and relish the occasion. It’s a great game for us.”

The biggest surprise is that the TV cameras have not been attracted by a tie that is sure to be watched by the largest crowd in the first round.

Huddersfield’s opening league game on Saturday was watched by 15,578 – a result of the cheap season-ticket offer they copied off City to mark the club’s centenary.

Another big turn-out is anticipated tonight with plenty of optimistic City fans planning to make the short hop.

Brandon said: “People don’t usually come out in their thousands for the first couple of rounds. It’s early in the season and doesn’t seem to mean as much.

“But this one has added spice because of the local rivalry and I think there will be a lot there.

“I went to Huddersfield last week to watch them against Arsenal and they look to have a decent side.

“Stan has really shook up the club and brought in a lot of experience. I know the players he’s brought in from afar, though not personally, and they look like good signings.

“There is always a lot of expectation with Huddersfield and I think they’ll be strong. But whether they are good enough to finish right up there this season, it’s hard to say.”