Huddersfield Town striker Jordan Rhodes lifts the lid on his Blackpool loan move

Jordan Rhodes admits his move to Blackpool had been “bubbling behind the scenes for a little bit”. The striker left Huddersfield Town on Friday, joining the League One club on a season-long loan.

The 33-year-old made his Seasiders debut over the weekend. He was a first half replacement for Shayne Lavery as Blackpool crashed to a 3-0 defeat at Lincoln City.

Rhodes said the “changing room, the pedigree of the manager, and the warmth around the place all attracted” him to the club. He said: “Those three things are all massive on their own merit.

“The move was bubbling behind the scenes for a little bit, then it was a whirlwind few hours. I’m really happy to be here, it’s a terrific football club with a great history.

“In the brief time I’ve been here everyone has been welcoming, and that’s all I can ask for at this early stage. I’m looking forward to mucking in and being part of the team- trying my best on and off the field.

“I hope I can replicate my past form – that’s why we keep doing it. I’ve been fortunate to get promotion through the Football League.

“If anyone wants to tap into my experience then I’d be there for them, but I’m no beacon of light, I’m no preacher. I’ve been really impressed by Critch (Neil Critchley), but everyone says such great things about him anyway so it’s not been a surprise.

“I’ve been to Blackpool once or twice on days out and played against them many times over the years. One of my really close friends in football is James Husband, so we’ve been talking about the club for years.”

Rhodes, who scored six goals in 35 matches for the Terriers last season, hopes to help fire Blackpool back into the Championship at the first time of asking. Reflecting on their loss to the Imps, he told the Blackpool Gazette: “Obviously we were disappointed with the result, but having not played competitive football for a while now, I really enjoyed being out on the pitch alongside the lads in a stadium with fans.

“I had one or two sniffs where I like to think I would’ve done better on a different day, but we roll on and keep going now because the games come thick and fast.”

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Huddersfield Town boss Neil Warnock has defended striker Danny Ward. The 32-year-old was jeered by a small portion of supporters following his withdrawal midway through the second half of the drubbing at home to Norwich City.

Ward touched the ball just 17 times against David Wagner’s side – the lowest figure of any of Town’s starters. He was isolated for large parts of the game and is yet to get off the mark this season.

But despite his low-key involvement, the forward came in for warm words from his manager. “I thought Danny worked as hard as he’s ever worked,” Warnock said, after a humbling defeat. “There was nothing (wrong) with his efforts. We created a lot of space early doors and we looked like a dominant side.

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“But when we give goals away like we did and the two centre-halves like they’ve got (Shane Duffy and Ben Gibson) they can play with a cigar in their mouths really and so it’s hard work for any striker. I can’t criticise Danny Ward at all.

“He’s not given any goals away. You will probably get some people saying why don’t I play four forwards but it’s not that simple: I wish I’d got four. It’s not as simple as that. These teams are as capable as anybody.

“If we’d had Harry Kane up front we’d have struggled with the goals we conceded.”

Town are on the road away at West Bromwich Albion on Saturday; their final fixture before the international break.