Sheffield Wednesday: Richard O'Donnell relishing long-awaited Owls reunion

The Sheffield-born goalkeeper left Wednesday after they were promoted to the Championship in 2012, joining Chesterfield before a fruitful spell with Walsall which saw him then jump ship to Wigan last summer.

His current loan spell with Bristol City brings him up against the Owls today.

While he confesses his status as a boyhood Owl means he is excited by Wednesday’s excellent season, O’Donnell insists he is fully focused on helping City pick up a vital win in their battle against relegation.

“They’re doing really well,” the 27-year-old said.

“From the beginning of the season the managerial appointment probably got questioned slightly just because no one knew who he was.

“But I think Carlos Carvalhal has done an unbelievable job and got them playing some great football.

“It’s exciting times for them. For the first time in a while they’ve got good investment and it’s a club that deserves to be in the top tier.

“I’m pleased with how they’re doing but when the game gets going it’s not something I’ll be thinking about at all.

“We know if we’re right, we’ve got every chance of getting a good result from the game.”

O’Donnell made 20 senior appearances for Wednesday after coming through the club’s youth ranks.