Sheffield Wednesday: Defender in contention to make Owls return

Tom Lees is in line to make his long-awaited Owls return.

The influential defender has not played for the club since their Capital One Cup exit at Stoke City over two months ago because of a hamstring problem.

But Lees has shrugged off the knock and was given a run-out in Tuesday’s development match against Nottingham Forest. Loan defender Michael Turner also featured in the Owls Under-21s win over Forest.

Now Lees is pressing hard to start in tomorrow’s key Championship clash at promotion rivals Birmingham City. The Blues have won four and drawn two of their last six fixtures since losing at Hillsborough on Boxing Day.

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“Lees played in the under-21s and we put him and Michael in the game to give them tempo,” said head coach Carlos Carvalhal. “They did well and are improving day by day, so let’s see in the future when they will be ready to play or not.

“Before he (Lees) had the problem, he was a player who played all the games, so he is a player who can contribute to the team in the future, of course. We would be happy for him to come back into the team.”

Meanwhile, Wednesday striker Gary Hooper has missed out on the Championship Player of the Month award for January despite netting five goals, including match-winning doubles against Bolton and Leeds. Hull City Abel Hernández scooped the prize.