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David Wagner says Huddersfield squad is healthy despite FA Cup draw with Birmingham

Cotterill aggrieved that Jutkiewicz's second-half header was ruled out for offside

 David Wagner looks on during the match with Birmingham
Image: David Wagner looks on during the match with Birmingham

Huddersfield manager David Wagner insists he is happy with the size of his squad after they were taken to a replay by Birmingham City in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

Lukas Jutkiewicz fired an equaliser for Birmingham early in the second period to secure the Sky Bet Championship side a deserved fourth-round replay after Steve Mounie had headed Huddersfield into a half-time lead.

Both Wagner and opposite number Steve Cotterill could have done without a replay as they focus on their respective relegation battles.

But Wagner picked out right-back Florent Hadergjonaj, forward Collin Quaner, goalscorer Mounie and centre-half Terence Kongolo for special mention, as he explained his side could cope with their upcoming fixture list.

"We only have a draw, a rematch, nothing that we wanted to have, but now we have it, we accept it," said Wagner, who made seven changes to the side which started in last week's defeat at Stoke.

"This is why I'm not too worried about the rematch because we have at the minute a very big, healthy squad."

Wagner's side travel to Liverpool on Tuesday and he admitted Huddersfield paid the price for too many individual errors against Birmingham.

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Steve Mounie is mobbed by his Huddersfield Town team-mates after scoring
Image: Steve Mounie is mobbed by his Huddersfield Town team-mates after scoring

"It isn't the result which we wanted to have and I think it isn't the result we deserved," he added.

"We missed out clear-cut chances, which we had a few of and we made two individual mistakes before we conceded the first goal as well.

"This means too many mistakes in the offence and too many mistakes in the defence and then it's difficult to win."

Birmingham boss Cotterill, who also made seven changes, felt aggrieved that Jutkiewicz's second-half header was ruled out for offside.

"It's a real tight one and we're slightly disappointed with that because getting a win would have been a fantastic result for us.

HUDDERSFIELD, ENGLAND - JANUARY 27:  Lukas Jutkiewicz of Birmingham celebrates scoring his side's first goal with team mates during The Emirates FA Cup Fou
Image: Lukas Jutkiewicz of Birmingham celebrates scoring his side's goal

"It's a great result anyway. We played well, especially making seven changes and great credit to those players coming in, their fitness levels were tremendous.

"It gives everyone a lift to not get beat. That's the big thing. The club, over the last year or so now, has probably got used to getting beaten every week."

Birmingham take on relegation rivals Sunderland at St Andrew's on Tuesday and Cotterill hinted some players could retain their places in his starting line-up.

He does not expect to strengthen his squad during the last week of the transfer window.

"I haven't thought we'll do any business up until now and nothing has changed in my mind to make me think all of a sudden we're going to spring a rabbit out of the hat," he added.

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