Sheffield Wednesday manager Garry Monk says both Steven Fletcher and Morgan Fox are not yet fully fit despite their return to action from the bench on Saturday, meaning it is unlikely the duo will start for the Owls when they host Charlton Athletic on Wednesday night.

For Fox, his introduction at half time in Saturday's dramatic 3-3 draw at St Andrew's saw him end a run of four games without playing, while Fletcher's appearance with around 20 minutes to go marked the first time he has played since an FA Cup win at Brighton on the first weekend of January.

But despite being back in the matchday squad, it seems both players still have some way to go before they will be in full contention to feature again.

Providing an update on the pair after the game, Monk told the Sheffield Star: "Foxy and Fletch are not fully fit at all. The way we are with the couple of injuries we have had, where we are at and what we need to do, we have been forced into that situation.

“If we were in a better position in terms of the results we have had recently you would be able to give them a little bit longer. They are not fully fit but it's needs must.”

Discussing whether that means a place on the bench again is likely when they face Charlton at Hillsborough on Wednesday, Monk continued: “For Fletch, yes. He's only been training for three days. Morgan trained (on Friday) that was it."

Even so, while their returns to action might have been brief, Monk did admit that having Fletcher and Fox available again is a welcome boost for his side, as he concluded: “They had the mentality to come on the pitch. It's great to have Fletch back.

"He was a big part, a massive part of the reason why we were third at Christmas and then to lose him...it's no excuse, we haven’t done well enough in the period we have had but today was much better all-round performance.”

That draw at Birmingham means Wednesday have now won just one of their last 11 league games, and they go into the midweek round of fixtures 12th in the Championship table, 11 points off the play-off places.

The Verdict

This feels like a case of six of one and half a dozen of the other here.

On the one hand, having two players with the ability of Fletcher and Fox back in contention can only be a good thing for Wednesday, and it ought to have provided a welcome lift around the place given their recent struggles.

However, the fact that they are still some way from full fitness will be frustrating, particularly considering the visit of a relegation-threatened side such as Charlton ought to be seen as an opportunity to pick up that elusive win, something Fox and Fletcher could have certainly helped to do.

Even so, it is probably sensible not to rush them back to action if they are not fully fit, lest they want to cause further damage that could keep the duo out longer term.