Sheffield Wednesday: Big month coming up for Owls as Carvalhal backs Bannan

Three of the Owls’ next four fixtures are at Hillsborough and head coach Carvalhal admits the team have to make home advantage count following back-to-back Championship defeats.

“Next month will be very important to us as we play three at home and one away,” said Carvalhal.

“It will be a challenge to us. It is a crucial month in the season. It will decide nothing for us or other teams but it will be very important. If we have a good month we can achieve a good position.”

Carvalhal insists Barry Bannan still has a big part to play in the Owls’ promotion tilt, despite the midfielder being left out of his starting line-up for Saturday’s reversal at neighbours Leeds United. Bannan, pictured, was introduced as a second-half substitute against his old club but couldn’t help Wednesday get back to winning ways.

“We decided to play players who have more energy at the moment,” explained Carvalhal, who handed first-team recalls to full-backs Jack Hunt and Morgan Fox. “Barry is a very important player to us.

“He’s a fundamental player in our squad and I hope he comes very soon to the normal level.”

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