This article is part of Football League World's 'The Verdict' series, which provides personal opinions from the FLW writers regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Garry Monk has had his unbeaten run ended at Sheffield Wednesday following defeat to Hull City last time out, a result that sees the Owls drop to ninth in the Championship.

The defeat saw Wednesday striker Steven Fletcher sidelined having picked up an ankle injury in the victory over Middlesbrough at the weekend, though Monk has confirmed on the club website, that he is hopeful that the 32-year-old will be fit for the weekend visit of Wigan.

So how important is it for the Owls that Fletcher is fit and available for the weekend?

We discuss........

Louie Chandler

"Fletcher is their best striker so it is very important.

"The Scot appears to be going up a level under Garry Monk, becoming incredibly ruthless in front of goal, and that can only be a good thing.

"Monk did it with Lukasz Jutkiewicz at Birmingham and he appears to now be getting the best out of Fletcher, looking like he could now go on and net at least 20.

"Wigan will prove to be a stubborn opposition so having someone like Fletcher who can take his chance when it comes could prove crucial."

Ben Lang

"Definitely. Wednesday really missed Fletcher's presence up top in Tuesday's defeat to Hull and it's important he returns as soon as possible for Monk's side.

"The Owls created enough chances during the midweek loss but failed to take them as Hull secured a 1-0 victory, and Fletcher could have taken those opportunities had he been fit.

"He's been in fine form recently which means it's not a good time for Wednesday to lose his services, but it is good news that his injury is not serious and he could be back on Saturday.

"Monk does have other options up front such as Rhodes, Winnall and Nuhiu, but none of these have yet proven themselves capable of filling Fletcher's void."

Gary Hutchinson

“It seems so. I’m surprised, after all I wrote him off eighteen months ago and yet here we are with Wednesday doing well and him a key part of that.

“He’s certainly proven himself all over again there, hasn’t he? He’s almost classed as a veteran now and he’s still producing the goods every week. He’s not as quick as he once was, but he has a sharp footballing brain and that’s hugely important.

“As for how important is he right now, the stats speak for themselves. Ten games, five goals. Any striker with that return isn’t just important, he’s crucial.”