Sheffield Wednesday: Sam Hutchinson has missed too many Boxing Day fixtures to worry about saying 'no' to an extra helping of turkey

It's hardly a tale of woe for footballers to be missing out on much of the festivities over the holiday period, however Hutchinson definitely has no complaints as he acknowledges how injuries have often denied him the opportunity to play his part in the busy fixture schedule over the years.

Head coach Carlos Carvalhal had his players in all this week but gave them all Christmas Day off to celebrate with their families before the team meets up early tomorrow to make the trip north to Tyneside (7.45pm kick off).

An impressive 3-0 victory over Birmingham City on Boxing Day last year made Carvalhal's decision to stick with that plan much easier, but Hutchinson admits that those injury-plagued years when he was forced to stay at home, have him more than willing to get ready for the owls test at the Toon.

"To be fair the manager is quite good at managing it," he said. "Last year we had a great result on Boxing Day so that helped us out.

"I see enough of my family and everything so, I'm happy. I'm happy playing on Boxing Day. I've missed so many, I've had so many times at home so it doesn't bother me at all."

Wednesday will have to be ready for what is likely to be one of their biggest challenges of this season, in taking on the Championship's table-toppers, however, Hutchinson admits that while Rafa Benitez's side are brimming with quality, the division as a whole has been like that year-on-year.

"It's harder (this year)," he added. "I think with the influx of money, the big hitters coming down everyone is spending a lot of money it is going to be harder because there is a better quality of players coming into the league, as we are, we have recruited better players.

"It's always going to be harder, it's a test every year because you are trying to find that way to get up."