SHEFFIELD Wednesday today kicked off an important week with Akpo Sodje beginning a new fight for fitness.
Manager Brian Laws hopes the talismanic striker will be fit for Saturday's home game against Coventry after feeling a fresh niggle during his comeback in the 3-0 defeat at Derby.
Laws has also revealed that wingers Etienne Esajas (Achilles) and Wade Small (hamstring) were both unavailable for the Pride Park match.
Esajas was replaced by Sodje as the centre-forward made his first senior start since the first match of the season, partnering Leon Clarke up front, while there were wide midfield roles for Sean McAllister and Marcus Tudgay.
Sodje was taken off the 57th minute as part of a double substitution but earlier felt a "tweak" in his hamstring at the back of his knee - it was a more severe injury in this area that led to his recent lay-off.
But Laws also said that the striker had a similar niggle after his return last month for the Sheffield derby but it cleared up in around a week.
"It settled down pretty quickly last time; hopefully it will settle down the same this time and he'll be okay for the weekend," he said.
Defender Peter Gilbert was also unfit for the Derby game, said Laws, who only last week was enjoying his most injury-free run in months.
In the wake of a post-match team meeting that lasted nearly an hour, the Owls boss said: "I've said my bit; the players have said theirs. We need a reaction. I expect a reaction on Saturday."
Despite the injuries, Laws had felt confident in his selection and the team's capability but was dismayed by the return or poor away form.
"We know we're better than that," he said.
Today it was the board's turn for a meeting - where directors will begin to address the issue of Laws' contract and the players who have agreements that, like his, run out next summer. The club are also likely to discuss the takeover issue and suggestions made to them by fan group Wednesdayite.
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