Sheffield Wednesday: Carvalhal happy to rob Wednesdayites of Barry Bannan

Midfield ace Barry Bannan is available for Sheffield Wednesday this afternoon following a three match suspension.

And that will take him off the terraces, where he cheered Wednesday on in their win at Huddersfield Town last weekend. Video footage of Bannan among Wednesdayites at the John Smith’s Stadium surfaced on the internet after the game and only added to the Scotland international’s growing cult status at the club.

While Carvalhal admits the fans will be missing ‘a good guy,’ he says the team will be gaining a top player.

He said: “I think the fans aren’t happy because they lose a good guy who can scream from the stands.

“He was very good at that at Huddersfield.

“But we are happy because we have a good player back.

“They lose a fan, an enthusiastic one, and we gain a footballer.

“We have good options for midfield for Saturday and must analyse the game.”

Though it was a considerable blow to lose top performer Bannan for three games following his red card at Nottingham Forest last month, Wednesday won all three matches in his absence.

They go in search of a fifth straight win this afternoon, which would be their best run of the season so far.