Rob Parrish wonders whether Huddersfield will be able to keep Jordan Rhodes after his latest exploits.
The delight among Huddersfield fans after Jordan Rhodes' four-goal haul rescued a point against Sheffield Wednesday is sure to be tempered by the impending opening of the transfer window.
The Terriers striker, who has been attracting admiring glances from the Premier League and Scottish Premier League already this season, pushed himself firmly to the front of the shop window with his stunning exploits in the Yorkshire derby thriller at Hillsborough.
Rhodes took his tally for what has been a stunning season to 19 goals from 20 appearances - which now includes four hat-tricks - scoring a pair of well-taken headers in the opening exchanges with the Owls defence neglecting to mark the dangerous frontman.
And after Wednesday roused themselves to seemingly take control of the contest with a quartet of unanswered goals, it was left to the lethal right foot of the prodigiously talented 21-year-old to level matters once again, with his final strike coming in the seventh minute of added time.
Fantastic
Rhodes had intended to keep a lid on any goal celebrations in the Steel City, with his father working as goalkeeping coach for Gary Megson's side, but the Oldham-born youngster could be forgiven for letting his emotions show following his last-gasp strike in front of the Terriers fans, which saw goalkeeper Ian Bennett run the length of the field to join the jubilation.
"When the fourth went in, I couldn't stop myself from celebrating," he told the club's
official website. "It is a very special day for me personally. To come here and score four goals is fantastic.
"It feels more like a win than a draw."
The post-match spotlight was always going to be on one man, with Huddersfield boss Lee Clark quick to stress the club's continued stance that their prized asset would not be sold in January, but honest enough to accept that temptation will be placed in his path in the coming weeks.
Clark said: "We're not silly, and we know he's a hot property, but the chairman (Dean Hoyle) has said he won't sell and the lad doesn't want to leave. Dean has already stated his money is better in Jordan than it is in the bank, and while we know the calls will come next month to test our resolve, I'm comfortable."
Refreshing
It is an admirable stance from the Galpharm Stadium hierarchy and it would be refreshing to think that they will reject all offers which come their way, while Rhodes himself appears determined to focus on his on-field displays, admitting: "I still need to get better and continue to score goals."
The problem for Huddersfield will come from the fact that there are plenty of clubs in the Premier League and beyond with deep pockets and a desire to bring in a talented young goal-scorer - albeit one who is still to prove his worth at the very highest level.
And the scouts who have flocked to watch the Terriers' star man in action this season and last are sure to be impressed with what they have seen, with his displays having earned the 21-year-old his full Scotland debut in the recent friendly against Cyprus.
Should the West Yorkshire club still be in possession of Rhodes' registration come 1st February 2012 (perhaps locking him in the Galpharm Stadium kit-room for a few weeks is the answer?) then it will provide their promotion push with a significant lift.
But should Clark's men fail to secure a return to the Championship after suffering play-off heartache in the last two campaigns, then the distracting lure of a move to play at a higher level will become stronger and stronger for Rhodes.
