Sam Saunders has suggested that Sheffield Wednesday could be a dark horse in the Championship this season under new boss Garry Monk, in an exclusive interview with Football League World Chief Editor Sam Rourke.

Monk suffered his first defeat as Owls manager last night, losing 2-0 to Everton in the Carabao Cup Third Round.

The 40-year-old coach took over at Hillsborough at the start of the month and has made a strong start in the Championship, with a win and a draw from his first two games.

Those results have seen his side climb up to ninth in the table, just two points outside the play-off places.

Speaking exclusively to Rourke, Saunders indicated that he felt the Yorkshire club had made a smart move by appointing Monk.

Asked if though the English coach was a good choice, he said: “Yeah, I think so.

“I thought he did very well at Birmingham City with the resources that he had. He made them very solid and difficult to beat.

“He had a hard-working midfield, they might not have had the flair of the team before but they were a lot more resolute and a lot tougher to play against. Then with Che Adams up front, there was always a threat of goals.

“He was unfortunate to lose his job. Birmingham captain Harlee Dean had a lot of positive things to say about Monk, how he went about his business and how he set his teams up.

“I’m not surprised he’s got another opportunity in the Championship.

He added: “Sheffield Wednesday have obviously got some really talented players at that level and I feel they could be a dark horse this season.”

Wednesday face a trip to the Riverside on Saturday to face a struggling Middlesbrough side.