Sheffield Wednesday: Owls receive Westwood boost

The goalkeeper was stretchered off in Saturday's come-from-behind victory over Birmingham City after sustaining head/neck injuries. The Republic of Ireland international was taken to hospital as a precautionary measure.

Had Westwood suffered concussion, he would have been forced to have sat-out Saturday's tussle with the Bees.

But Carvalhal, speaking at his pre-match press briefing this afternoon, has allayed fears over Westwood's fitness.

"Keiren has trained this week and will be okay for Saturday," he said.

Captain Glenn Loovens is ruled out due to an on-going groin problem which has troubled him in the last month.

Carvalhal said the Dutchman played through the pain barrier when the Owls were short of defensive cover.

However, with Tom Lees and Michael Turner fully-fit again following hamstring and knee injuries respectively, the Portuguese chief plans to rest Loovens.

Carvalhal said: "He has played in the last few weeks with an injury. We needed him to play because we didn't have another centre-half at that moment.

"He is a captain of the team and leads by example. All the time he tried to play.

"Now, because we have recovered some players, it's the time for him to recover 100 per cent."

Carvalhal added that Wednesday will check on Kieran Lee (back) and Sam Hutchinson (knee) tomorrow before finalising his squad.

The Owls, occupying the final play-off position, take on Brentford seeking to stretch their unbeaten Hillsborough run to 15 matches in all competitions.

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