Ex-Sheffield Wednesday defender has his say on their Championship relegation prospects

Hinchcliffe, who made more than 80 appearances for the club between 1998 and 2002, said the next two matches against Watford and Cardiff City over the Easter weekend are “absolutely critical” with time running out.

Sheffield Wednesday are six points from safety with nine games left of the season, having won just once in their last eight fixtures.

Hinchcliffe told the Sky Sports EFL Podcast: “I was really starting to get my hopes up after that win against Barnsley.

“Then I saw they’ve got Watford away and Cardiff in the next two matches. So it’s going to take a superhuman effort.”

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Despite their poor run of form, the Owls have taken four points from their last two games and ended Barnsley’s 10-match unbeaten run last time out thanks to two goals from the rejuvenated Jordan Rhodes.

The former Ipswich, Middlesbrough and Blackburn striker, who has struggled to find the back of the net throughout his Wednesday career to date, now needs just seven more goals to become the top scorer in Championship history.

He has scored six goals this season, including three in his last four appearances.

Hinchcliffe added: “Darren Moore looks like he’s got the players playing a bit more for themselves and for him. He’s got Jordan Rhodes, and the one thing Wednesday really needed this season was more goals.

“They’ve struggled in every department, but certainly, goalscoring was a major problem. They needed Jordan Rhodes to start knocking them in. He’s started to do that, but the next two games are absolutely critical.”

Sheffield Wednesday travel to Vicarage Road on Good Friday for a 3pm kick-off before hosting the Bluebirds on Easter Monday, live on Sky Sports Football. Kick-off is 5.30pm.

Second-placed Watford have won five consecutive games to go six points clear of Swansea City in third, having played one more game.

Meanwhile, Cardiff City, now managed by Mick McCarthy, have won eight of their 14 matches since his appointment in January.

Ex-Owls loanee Aden Flint has played a starring role for McCarthy after returning to south Wales from Hillsborough.