Joe Colbeck has vowed to fill Jermaine Johnson's boots by running Huddersfield ragged.

The young winger will be handed his first start of the season in the tension-filled atmosphere of Saturday's local derby.

With Johnson out, Colbeck is ready to take on the right-wing role and promises he will not let the side down.

Colbeck said: "JJ has been excellent and it's unfortunate for the team that he is injured. But it has given me a chance and I'm going to try and prove that I've got just as much ability.

"It's going to be physical and fast but you've got to step straight in to it as quickly as you can."

Colin Todd has no concerns about throwing the 19-year-old into the local derby cauldron.

The City boss said: "It's a brilliant game for Joe to come into and I expect him to produce. But there is no pressure at all.

"JJ is a difficult act to follow but everyone's different and the one thing Joe has is real pace. He is manipulating the ball better and I expect him to cause Huddersfield problems."

Colbeck should not be fazed by the big occasion at Valley Parade. His last full appearance was in front of over 15,500 fans against Nottingham Forest in May and he produced a dazzling display. Despite not starting yet this term, he has come off the bench for eight games in a row and played 77 minutes against Tranmere when Johnson limped off.

"Huddersfield know we're on form and will try to rattle us and get in our faces," said Colbeck. "But the confidence is so high among the lads that I don't think they will stop us.

"We've got a side this season looking to go up and the morale in the squad is excellent. Every day it's buzzing on the training ground because of the standard of football we've been playing.

"It gives us an extra lift when you open the paper and see our position near the top.

"It would be brilliant to beat Huddersfield and keep the run going. And by kicking off early, we can really put pressure on the other teams around us with the three points."