Sheffield Wednesday manager Jos Luhukay has confirmed that striker Sam Winnall is close to returning to full training, reports Dom Howson of the Sheffield Star. 

The Owls' boss says he hopes Winnall will take part in an under-23s match within the next few weeks, giving the club a much-needed fitness boost.

In the same press conference, it was revealed that winger Marco Matias will be out for "a few weeks" leaving them even shorter in attack.

Winnall signed for the Owls from Barnsley in January 2017 for around £500,000 but has had terrible luck with injuries missing the last 15 matches of last season after being loaned out to Derby County as well as the first ten of this campaign.

In total he has made just 18 appearances for his new club,  scoring four goals. But with Matias now out for a few weeks and with Gary Hooper still yet to make a first-team return the Hillsborough faithful will be desperate to see him return.

The Owls currently sit in 12th place in the Championship table and are unbeaten in their last seven matches going into their midweek clash with league-leaders West Brom on Wednesday night.

The Verdict 

Winnall's return cannot come soon enough.

Luhukay and his players have done well so far this season but you get the feeling that there is only so far the squad can stretch.