Sheffield Wednesday: Frustrated Owls defender vows to prove his credentials

A succession of injuries have limited the centre-back’s opportunity to showcase his talent since arriving on a season long-loan deal from Norwich City last August.

To compound Turner’s frustration, he struggled to force his way back into Carlos Carvalhal’s plans after regaining full fitness. Owls boss Carvalhal preferred Vincent Sasso in the defensive role, meaning Turner had to patiently wait in the wings.

But the 32-year-old was plunged into action against his old club eight days ago. Turner produced a commanding performance as Carvalhal’s troops kept a clean sheet at automatic promotion contenders Hull City.

It was only Turner’s ninth Owls appearance and his first in the Championship this year.

“Being back in the side was very pleasing,” he told The Star. “It’s been a bit frustrating for myself.

“When I first came I started really well, and was pleased how things went.

“But then I picked up a knee injury which was really frustrating. I did the injury in the Hull home game. I was out for a period, came back for two games, but probably wasn’t right.

“I would like to think I am back fit now and contribute to the back end of the season.”

For our Owls news and opinion on twitter follow here

Turner added: “I want to stay fit for the rest of the season and hopefully there are good things to come for the club, exciting times, and every player wants to be part of that.”

The former Brentford and Sunderland defender has no complaints over Carvalhal’s decision to leave him out of the match-day squad.

“Being injured for a period of time, it’s always difficult to come straight back into the fold,” he said. “The manager has shown with new players, he likes to bed them in during training, before playing in matches.

“Coming back from injury has been similar to that.”

Although they failed to pick up maximum points in Humberside, Turner believes they can take big encouragement from the performance.

“We can take a lot from the game,” he said. “I think it was a good performance from the boys, we showed a great togetherness. Certainly in the first half, we showed a real threat to score a goal and maybe get what more than what we did from the game.

“As a player it’s always nice to go back to your old club where you have had good experiences.

“To be back in the team was even nicer for me.”

For more news from Hillsborough click here

Wednesday entertain neighbours Rotherham United today looking to extend their unbeaten Hillsborough run to 17 matches in all competitions.

“We don’t have change too much (from the last three games), just continue what we have been doing over most of the season,” said Turner. “The team has been playing well consistently, individually and as a team.

“Saturday will be just like any other derby; pretty frantic at the start, a hostile atmosphere and it’s about getting into the game as early as you can. Keeping cool is key, just try to play the game you are used to playing.

“The team is confident of playing at Hillsborough; we are getting good backing from the fans.

“It (unbeaten run) is a good record we are proud of and we want to keep it going. Every time we play at Hillsborough we are confident we can win the game. Saturday will be no different.”

Follow Dom Howson on twitter