Sheffield Wednesday: Gary Hooper scores for Owls in behind-closed-doors game

A strong Wednesday side took on Scunthorpe United at Middlewood in a match organised to give fringe players and those coming back from injury some game-time.

The Owls won 5-1 with goals from Hooper, Alex Hunt, Daniel Pudil and George Boyd (2).

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Hooper hasn’t played a first team game since December 26, 2017 when, just days after Carlos Carvalhal left the club, Wednesday under the temporary stewardship of Lee Bullen beat Nottingham Forest 3-0 at the City Ground.

Steve Bruce is hopeful that fans will get to see the former Celtic and Norwich City striker turn out for the run in as the Owls make a late push for a play-off place.

“We’re hoping that we can’t rule out Hooper,” he said last week. “He’s ticking along quite nicely at the moment. It’s a big couple of weeks now for him.”