Sheffield Wednesday: Owls sweating over goalkeeper

Sheffield Wednesday are sweating on the fitness of Joe Wildsmith ahead of their five-day pre-season training camp in Portugal.
Joe Wildsmith had been expected to start but Jake Kean played insteadJoe Wildsmith had been expected to start but Jake Kean played instead
Joe Wildsmith had been expected to start but Jake Kean played instead

The academy starlet was due to start last night’s 1-0 friendly win over Portuguese champions Benfica at Hillsborough.

But the England Under-21 international hurt his finger in the warm-up and was replaced by new signing Jake Kean.

Owls pair of Forestieri and Lee block out Benfica's ZizziOwls pair of Forestieri and Lee block out Benfica's Zizzi
Owls pair of Forestieri and Lee block out Benfica's Zizzi
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Boss Carlos Carvalhal has confirmed Wildsmith has undergone a scan to determine the full extent of the problem. Wednesday are set to fly out to Faro this afternoon as they continue to step up their preparations ahead of the new Championship campaign.

The Owls chief said: “Joe has turned his finger. He’s having an X-ray now.

“If he has broken a finger, he won’t go (to Portugal). We hope he hasn’t broken a finger. Let’s see. We are waiting.”

Carvalhal was pleased with Kean’s first appearance since joining Wednesday on a free-transfer from Norwich City.

Owls boss Carlos CarvalhalOwls boss Carlos Carvalhal
Owls boss Carlos Carvalhal
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He said: “He did very well. He was calm and gave confidence to the team. I’m very happy with him.

“Day by day, week by week he will understand how we play and will do better. He will keep getting better.”

Forestieri bagged his second goal in the space of five days to extend Wednesday’s unbeaten pre-season run to three matches. It was their second successive victory and clean sheet.

Keiren Westwood missed out due to a minor knock. There has been speculation linking him with a move to Hull City, who beat the Owls in the Championship Play-Off final last May, but Carvalhal insists he has “heard absolutely nothing” regarding that talk.