Sheffield Wednesday manager Garry Monk believes that the Owls’ clear week will enable them to get their new signings to gel with the rest of the squad ahead of their clash with Barnsley on Saturday.

The Owls were active during the latter stages of the January transfer window bringing Connor Wickham, Alessio Da Cruz and Josh Windass on loan from Crystal Palace, Parma and Wigan Athletic respectively, but both Wickham and Windass were unavailable for their clash with Millwall last time out.

Da Cruz was able to make his debut from the bench for the Owls in the goalless draw with Millwall, and the 23-year-old will be hoping to have done enough to earn a chance from the start against Barnsley at the weekend, while both Wickham and Windass could make their debuts.

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Speaking to the Sheffield Star, Monk suggested that the fact Wednesday have had a free week without any midweek fixtures, could represent them with a chance to get their new additions fully integrated into their squad, saying: "It is a catch 22.

"I would like another game straight away but maybe sometimes it is good to have that week to build and let the new players have a prolonged period of getting them up to speed and what we need from them.

"They can get used to us, the lads, how we are going to play and what we need to do.
"I think it probably is a good thing that we have a week prepare because we can work with the new players, integrate them and look forward to the next league game."

The verdict

Monk clearly feels that Wednesday’s trio of new additions can help to make a real impact on the rest of their season, and it would have been a real positive for the Owls to have the week on the training ground to get them all fully involved with the squad and aware of their new manager’s methods.

The week break will also provide the Owls with an opportunity to refresh following a run of three matches without a win in the Championship since their impressive 2-0 win at Leeds United, and they could do with all three of Wickham, Windass and Da Cruz making an instant impression.

Wednesday will be hopeful that all three players can help to add some extra creativity and firepower for the Owls in the final third, with Monk’s side having only managed to score three goals in their last five league matches.

It is vital that if Wednesday are to mount a push for the play-offs during the rest of the campaign that Monk’s new signings hit the ground running and start to improve the Owls ability to convert chances in the final third.