After last season's Play-Off final heartbreak at Wembley, many wondered whether Sheffield Wednesday had blown their chance to get back to the top flight but the Owls are out to prove them doubters wrong.

Wednesday have done a great job so far this season and they currently occupy the final Play-Off space as we head towards the mid-way point of the season.

With Carlos Carvalhal at the helm, Wednesday have seen some of their best days in years and a return to the Premier League could well be on the cards.

The Owls will be seeking to strengthen in January, ahead of what could be another huge end to the season for them.

There is also a good chance Carvalhal will look to ship out some of the weaker players too and come the end of January, his squad could be unrecognisable.

Here, FLW's Chris Wilson looks at a potential starting XI for Wednesday after the January window...

 

Keiren Westwood

Westwood is widely regarded as one of the best keepers in the Championship and it is vital that Wednesday keep hold of him.

The Irish shot stopper has attracted interest from the top flight recently, but with The Owls pushing for promotion, it looks unlikely that they will sell.

If Westwood remains fit for the whole season, then Wednesday are in with a great chance of going all the way.

Westwood makes key saves at key times in games and this give the attackers the platform to go on and win the game.

Jack Hunt

Hunt has been a near mainstay for Wednesday this season since his permanent signing in the summer, after spending last season on loan at Hillsborough.

Hunt has played a huge part at right back for The Owls and they would be a weaker side without him.

Hunt is solid defensively and always willing to get forward, which has created so many chances for Wednesday this season.

Hunt's defensive solidity has played a key part in Wednesday conceding just 23 goals this season, one of the leagues lowest.

 

Tom Lees

 Lees was the subject of Premier League interest in the summer but opted to stay at Hillsborough, and try to get Wednesday into the top flight.

Lees was a bit of an unknown quantity when he arrived from Leeds, but he has gone on to be a key player for The Owls.

Lees provides Sheffield Wednesday with a solid base to build on which is often key to why they win so many games.

He is a fantastic defender and he is willing to throw himself in front of anything to keep the ball out of the net.

Kevin Long

Long is well out of favour at Burnley and looks very unlikely to stay beyond January.

The Irishman impressed in League One for Barnsley last season and has played well for Burnley in the Championship before so he should slot seamlessly into the Wednesday defence.

Long is an accomplished defender but there is more to his game than just defending.

He is comfortable on the ball too, which is key if you want to play a possession based game like Wednesday do. Long would be a good addition for Sheffield Wednesday.

 

Daniel Pudil

Pudil spent last season on loan at Hillsborough and his impressive campaign lead to Wednesday making the move permanent in the summer.

Pudil has been solid at left back and his ability to get forward could be key this season.

Pudil is a very good defender and you will have to be a quality winger to give him the slip down the left side.

His attacking prowess from left back could be a key avenue for goals for Wednesday, if he continues to bomb forward and put balls into the box, he could claim a lot of assists for The Owls. 

Barry Bannan

Since Bannan's arrival at Sheffield Wednesday last summer, the midfield magician has almost made himself the first name on the team-sheet.

After some fantastic performances last season, Bannan could count himself slightly unlucky not to have found himself in the team of the season.

Bannan provides Wednesday with some drive in midfield and a creative spark, that many teams lack, which make Bannan so key for Wednesday.

His creativity could definitely create goals for The Owls which could prove key if Wednesday are to go up

Sam Hutchinson

Hutchinson is the exact opposite to Bannan, which is why they would make a good midfield pairing.

Hutchinson loves to break up play and it prepared to do the 'dirty work' that Bannan probably wouldn't do.

Hutchinson's defensive midfield attributes could be key if Wednesday are to keep the back door closed.

When they are winning games, Hutchinson sitting in the midfield and shielding the back four could see them get all three points.

Yanic Wildschut

 Wildschut has been playing very well for Wigan, in what has been a struggling team, so a move to a promotion contender could well be on the cards.

The Dutch winger took League One by storm last season and has carried on his good form this season.

Wildschut would provide Wednesday with a great attacking outlet and a source of goals.

Wildschut possesses the ability to beat players with ease and as he has showed in recent weeks, he knows where the net is too.

Fernando Forestieri

Forestieri was Wednesday's star man last season and he came so close to getting them into the top flight in his maiden season at Hillsborough.

The former Italy under 21 international made the Championship team of the season last year, but he hasn't had the same impact on Wednesday yet, as he did last season.

Forestieri is a tricky player who can unlock a defence almost at will.

His creative ability will no doubt be crucial for Wednesday in their fight for promotion.

Most of Wednesday's attacking play goes through him and if he is on form this season, The Owls will be there or there about.

Adam Reach

 Reach arrived at Hillsborough from Middlesbrough in the summer and so far he has done quite well, but he still has more to give.

Much was made of the price Wednesday paid for Reach but he could be worth every penny if he fire Wednesday to the top flight.

Similar to Wildschut, Reach can beat players with ease and he has the end product to match.

If you can get Reach on the ball and running at players, he will create chances and score goals as well as being prepared to get back and support his full back.

 

Jordan Rhodes

 Rhodes is out of favour at The Riverside, and with Karanka planning to further strengthen his striking options, Rhodes looks to be surplus to requirements and set to move on in January, with Sheffield Wednesday one of many potential suitors.

Wednesday are struggling for striking options in the absence of Gary Hooper and Rhodes' prolific record at Championship level makes him the perfect player to fill the void, if not replace Hooper.

Rhodes has proven he knows where the net is at this level and his goals could be enough to see The Owls over the line.