Michael Hector issues Sheffield Wednesday warning

The Owls moved into the top six by winning 2-1 at Bristol City earlier this month and have lost just once in their last nine league outings.

But Hector, a Jamaica international, says that more than half of the teams in the second tier will be fancying their chances of being in the end-of-season chase for a place in the top flight.

"I know the club's history, getting to the semi-finals and final of the play-offs," said the centre-half after arriving at Hillsborough from parent club Chelsea. "They're a club who want to push for the Premier League.

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"But you have realise there are probably about 14 other clubs in the Championship who all expect to be in the top six."

Wednesday lost to Hull City in the play-off final at Wembley in 2016 and were beaten in the two-legged semi-final a year later by Huddersfield Town.

Hector joined Chelsea for £4 million from Reading in 2015 but has never played a senior game for the Premier League giants, spending his time out on loan back at the Royals and at Eintracht Frankfurt and Hull until linking up with the Owls on August transfer deadline day.

"Chelsea were the club I supported growing up so when the chance came to sign there it was a no-brainer," he said.

"Not getting an opportunity there has been frustrating, but in every transfer window they can bring in anyone that they want."

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