Tears turn to cheers for Wolves' Benik Afobe

Now Wolves' £2m striker wants to put one over the team who gave him his big break in football and made a man of him.

The 21-year-old's first loan assignment away from parent club Arsenal was at tonight's opponents Huddersfield.

Afobe scored five goals in 28 League games in two spells with the Terriers in 2010-11.

Still just 17 at the time, the North Londoner helped Lee Clark's side to the League One play-off final.

But a 3-0 defeat to Peterborough at Old Trafford brought the youngster his first taste of footballing heartache.

Afobe said: "We went 24 games unbeaten and just missed out in the play-off final, losing to Peterborough 3-0 which was a shock because everyone tipped us to walk over them - I was in tears after that.

"It just wasn't meant to be that year but I think they went up the season after so things worked out for Huddersfield."

But being on his own in West Yorkshire at such a young age out of his comfort zone away from the capital had already helped toughen the teenager up.

He said: "Coming from Arsenal you got used to having nice things as a kid - going on tour, having sponsorship deals from the age of 16 and playing for the England age group teams.

"It was easier than other people have had, but growing up and going out on loan, you see players in League One were going home and washing their own boots.

"You see how grown men live and conduct themselves off the pitch as well so I really recommend it. Lee Clark was the manager at the time and he helped me a lot.

"The boys there were fantastic - they were like the lads here, young and comfortable with one another - so it was easy going from London to West Yorkshire.

"At the same time, I don't need to go into town and see Big Ben every week. It was a real family club and I really enjoyed my time there.

"Even now, I'm not a Huddersfield fan but I always look out for their results. The season after I felt, I went to watch some of their games and was buzzing that they went up.

"I texted some of the boys and I still keep in touch with the likes of Jordan Rhodes, who's a good friend of mine, Anthony Pilkington, Lee Peltier and Gary Roberts.

"They've all left Huddersfield but we're all still in contact - I even went to Anthony Pilkington's wedding so shows how much I've made friends for life there.

"I also keep in contact with Lee Clark and Terry McDermott (then Huddersfield's manager and assistant boss) as well and they helped me a lot.

"It's a shame but I hope we take the three points off them tonight."

But if he has a soft spot for Huddersfield, it won't show tonight as he tries to erase the memory of a rare defeat for Afobe - Saturday's 2-1 setback at home to Reading.

It was only the fifth time Afobe has been on the losing side in the league this season after his successful loan spell at MK Dons.

And he admits it's not a feeling he finds easy to deal with, saying: "I'm a sore loser - even if I lose in training.

"Sometimes when my dad rings me, I won't respond for three or four hours until my head is right again. I'll say 'dad, we lost, my team was rubbish today!'

"That happened to me on Thursday and I didn't speak to him until 6pm on the night, whereas I usually ring him on the way home from training.

"I'm not bigging myself up but I think it's just a winning mentality I've always had. It only affects me for a couple of hours or a day or so.

"But it was disappointing because the team was already on an unbeaten run when I came as well. It's been tough for us to take, especially in front of our home fans.

"After we pulled it back to 1-1 we thought there were goals for us so hopefully we can put things right."