Sheffield Wednesday: Owls to confirm pre-season schedule against Portuguese giants

Sheffield Wednesday are expected to confirm their pre-season schedule this week.
By The Newsroom
Published 20th Jun 2016, 06:00 BST
Owls star Lucas Joao could face his former club Nacional in pre-seasonOwls star Lucas Joao could face his former club Nacional in pre-season
Owls star Lucas Joao could face his former club Nacional in pre-season

Friendlies with League One neighbours Chesterfield and Portuguese giants Benfica have been lined up; Carlos Carvalhal’s side are set to head to the Proact Stadium on Saturday, July 16, a day before the club’s annual fun day Owls in the Park.

Although the warm-up match has yet to be formally rubber-stamped, it is likely Wednesday, who have been linked with a move for Blackburn Rovers defender Grant Hanley and free agent striker Steven Fletcher, will entertain Benfica at Hillsborough on Wednesday, July 20.

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Facing one of Portugal’s leading clubs should only benefit Wednesday as they step up their preparations for the new Championship campaign.

Benfica claimed their third consecutive Portuguese championship earlier this year, pipping Sporting Lisbon to the crown.

After the Benfica fixture, it is believed Carvalhal’s squad will then fly out the following day to Portugal for a five-day pre-season training camp.

Reports in Portugal claim Wednesday will face Nacional in a friendly on Sunday, July 24, in Albufeira, in the Algarve. Wednesday signed Marco Matias and Lucas Joao from Nacional in 2015, and the game may be one of two warm-up matches arranged as part of the trip.