Huddersfield boss David Wagner is wary of former loanee Izzy Brown ahead of Brighton clash... but insists 'it's not a must-win'

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Huddersfield boss David Wagner hopes Brighton loanee Izzy Brown doesn't return to haunt him on Saturday.

Brown, 20, played a key role for Huddersfield on loan from Chelsea last season as Wagner's side defied the odds to reach the Premier League and was expected to seal a permanent summer move to the West Yorkshire club.

But the Terriers could not reach agreement with Chelsea over a permanent switch and Brown, who joined Brighton on a season-long loan instead, will now be bidding to inflict a fifth straight defeat on his former club at the John Smith's Stadium.

Izzy Brown has spent the duration of this season on loan at Brighton from Chelsea

'There are no secrets, everybody knows we tried everything to keep Izzy here,' Wagner said.

'Unfortunately we were not successful in signing him. The circumstances were not good, it was nobody's fault and we had to accept it.

'Chelsea are the club who had to make the decisions and it's something we respect and accept and now we meet him again.

'Izzy has not had the best start at Brighton, he was injured, but he has started the last couple of games. We hope we can keep him quiet.'

Wagner will also get the chance to catch up with Seagulls midfielder Pascal Gross, who he coached in Hoffenheim's academy, but insisted he is more concerned with halting his own side's recent slump.

Brown enjoyed a temporary spell at the Terriers last season as they gained promotion into the Premier League, but Wagner was unable to secure a permanent move for the youngster

The Terriers have slid down to 16th place in the table and since beating Manchester United in October they have scored just twice in six matches.

But a fifth victory at the John Smith's this season could see Wagner's side leapfrog Brighton back into the top half.

'A must-win game is a final, where you have no chance to correct something and this isn't the case on Saturday,' Wagner said.

'But it's a massive game for all of us and a great opportunity in front of our supporters to play Brighton and be in front of them after the game.

Wagner admitted his Huddersfield side will hope to keep the 20-year-old quiet on Saturday

'There are so many important stories in this game. This is why it's a big game, but it's not a must-win game because a lot more will follow after this.'

Wagner has no new injury concerns following last week's 2-0 defeat at Everton, while winger Rajiv van La Parra will serve the final game of his three-match suspension.

Huddersfield will come under increasing pressure if they slip to a fifth straight defeat, but Wagner insists he is comfortable with his side's position in the table.

'If you had offered me 15 points after 15 games and then Brighton at home, I would say 'absolutely'', he added.

But insisted the weekend's clash at the John Smith's Stadium is not a must-win for his side