Sheffield Wednesday: More to Leeds United than Chris Wood, says positive, prepared Carlos Carvalhal

The 6ft 2in striker is enjoying the best season of his career so far, having already equalled his best goal haul of 22 from the 2012-13 campaign at Millwall.

Nineteen of those goals have come in the Championship, with only Newcastle United’s Dwight Gayle slightly ahead of the Leeds forward.

However, even when taking into account his bustling frame and his superb form, Carvalhal says there will be no extra attention paid to Wood, with the Owls head coach believing that fifth-placed Leeds have quality throughout their side.

And Carvalhal says there has been no shortage of homework done on their Yorkshire rivals.

“It is not just (Wood), it is the team,” he said.

“The way they are acting, they are organised and I think we understand how they play.

“They will not surprise us. We will be ready for what they will do. This doesn’t mean that we are saying that we will win the game .

“We must fight, it will be a tough game, they have a good team, good players but if I was in Monk’s position I would say that we are playing a good team, with good players.

“They have a player who can score goals but Sheffield Wednesday have players who can score goals also, maybe three or four who can score.

“I think we are at the same circumstances and we will fight for the win.”

Carvalhal has been impressed by the job Monk has done this season in turning around the fortunes of a club that had seemingly jumped from one crisis to another.

However, the Portuguese was at pains to point out that as impressive as Leeds have been so far, Wednesday are currently level on points ahead of today’s early kick-off.

“They are consistent,” added Carvalhal.

“They are doing very well. They have some points like us. It is one team the people are saying are having a fantastic season, they are on the same points as us so far, so we are doing a fantastic season also.

“We were maybe eight points or seven (behind them) one month ago. We recovered points from them and this moment we are on the same points.

“They are consistent, Monk is doing very good work, this is why they are in a good position but we are there, with the same points.

“It is a difficult game for both teams.

“After the game, no matter what happens, both teams will be in the top six, nothing will be decided in this game; it is an important game but more because it is a derby.”

The rivalry aspect of the top six clash adds extra spice to the occasion, but Carvalhal says it is only the fans who will feel this, as he attempts to have his players prepare for the match like any other.

“The derby makes it more special but more off the pitch than on the pitch,” he said. “Of course we have the feeling of our fans, we will play with the heart of our fans on the pitch and we know if we win our fans will be happy.

“It is an important game, especially for the fans and the club. But in the practice, it is three points we are playing for. After the game, the team that wins will achieve three points but nothing else. They will stay in the top six.

“It is important game because all of the games are important but after this there will be more life to both teams by the end of the season.”