Sponsored by
Sodje in new fitness fear
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.
What do you think? Post your comments below.
READ MORE
Blades Watch 08-09 - The Season So Far
Owls Watch 08-09 - The Season So Far
Watch Premiership highlights, international football, golf, tennis, darts and much more
Football headlines
More Blades
More Owls
More Spireites
More Rovers
More Reds
More Millers
More Ice Hockey
More rugby league
More rugby union
More boxing
Sports columnists
All sport categories
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Sheffield
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: East
