Garry Monk reveals how Julian Börner has responded to fall from grace at Sheffield Wednesday

The German centre-half, who became a fan favourite after joining on a free transfer last summer with a string of impressive and passionate performances, appears to be some way down the pecking order at Hillsborough.

Midweek defeat to Brentford saw Moses Odubajo become the latest player to be preferred to Börner in the Owls back three, with rookie Liam Shaw also having started ahead of the German this season.

Last week’s deadline day saw Owls boss Garry Monk dip into the loan market to bring in Cardiff’s Aden Flint and with Chey Dunkley approaching fitness, Börner’s battle for minutes is becoming a difficult one. He hasn’t played at all this season outside of Carabao Cup action.

Asked how the 29-year-old has responded to the situation, Monk told The Star that is not a situation exclusive to him and that he has been impressed by Börner’s professionalism.

He said: “Everyone understands, I set it out on the first day that it is their job to get through difficult moments. As a professional your mentality must be to do what’s right, to give everything you’ve got; if you’re in the team stay in it, if you’re out of the team get back in it.

“You’ve got to show the right attitude and the right commitment, for yourself number one, but also for the team.

“Julian has done that and is doing that, but it’s a situation where when that opportunity comes, you have to perform.”

The likes of Matt Penney and Liam Palmer have also seen pitch time limited in recent weeks along with Jordan Rhodes, who came off the bench against Brentford.

And Monk reiterated his comments last week that the reality of their points deduction means that he can afford to be as patient with players as he might ordinarily be. High standards, he said, are crucial.

“We haven’t got the luxury of not performing,” he said. “We have to deliver performances as much as we can and that’s the job of every player.

“Julian has been great, he’s a professional and if his chance comes, it’s up to him to take it.”

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