Speaking to the Sheffield Star, Steven Fletcher has indicated that he could return for Sheffield Wednesday over the festive period, with the striker admitting he is on the mend.  

Carlos Carvalhal has been without Fletcher over the last two weeks, with the Scottish striker forced to sit out the defeats to Norwich City and Wolverhampton Wanderers due to a long-standing knee problem.

However, after a spell on the sidelines, the 30-year-old has confirmed he is edging closer to a first-team return, but admitted he would not be rushed back by Carvalhal, he said: “I’m getting there. I don’t think I’m far away.

“The pain is going away slowly but surely. The physios have been great with me and so has the gaffer, who has given me as much time as I want to strengthen the leg so it has been good.

“I’m just taking each day as it comes really and see how the knee reacts to the other stuff I’m doing.”

Fletcher has struggled to find his best form over the course of the 2017/18 campaign, with the former Wolves striker scoring just three times in 20 appearances across all competitions for the Owls, who themselves are struggling.

Carvalhal’s side have failed to make an impact in the race for the top-six, with the Owls heading into this weekend’s round of fixtures on a six-match winless streak, which includes back-to-back defeats in their last two.

Wednesday currently sit 15^th in the Championship table, 10 points adrift of the top-six.

The Owls face Middlesbrough at Hillsborough this weekend, before travelling to Nottingham Forest and Brentford between Christmas and New Year.

The Verdict

Fletcher’s form this season has been a concern, but with Carvalhal’s side struggling, a player of the striker’s experience returning will be a boost for the club.

Carvalhal finds himself under mammoth pressure at Hillsborough, and results need to improve fast.

He will hope Fletcher can have a positive return over the course of the festive period.

Sheffield Wednesday fans… Let us know your thoughts!