Sheffield Wednesday manager Garry Monk says he is hopeful that defender Moses Odubajo and midfield duo Massimo Luongo and Adam Reach are all return to training next week.

Despite having his suspension rescinded, Luongo hasn't featured for Wednesday since being sent off in their 5-0 defeat to Blackburn on the 18th January, due to a calf injury.

Elsewhere, Reach has missed the Owls' last five games with a toe problem, while Odubajo has been absent from the side for the same amount of time as a result of a hamstring injury.

Now however, it appears as though the trio are all close to boosting Wednesday's options in terms of selection.

Speaking about the injury situation surrounding those three players ahead of his side's clash with Derby at Hillsborough on Saturday afternoon, Monk told the Sheffield Star: “At some point next week those three will be back into training so that will be good to have them back, barring any setbacks between now and then.

“Between them, we are looking at the start or the end of next week, but hopefully they are back in training.”

Monk's side are currently 12th in the Championship table, eight points adrift of the play-offs after ending a seven-game winless run in the league with a 95th-minute winner against Charlton on Wednesday night.

The Verdict

This ought to be a big boost for Wednesday.

That recent run of poor form they have endured is unlikely to have been helped by a lack of options cause by injury, so getting players back could be crucial to their hopes for the rest of the season.

As a result, the fact that all three of Luongo, Odubajo and Reach are all seemingly close to a return to action, should be a big relief to Monk, given the scope to change things it ought to give him.

Indeed, with all three players possessing plenty of experience at this level, you feel they could all have a part to play for Wednesday in the coming weeks, as they look to finish the season as strongly as possible.