Garry Monk's message to his Sheffield Wednesday stars after Steven Fletcher injury blow

Twelve-goal top-scorer Fletcher faces eight to 10 weeks on the sidelines with the knee injury he sustained in the second half of their FA Cup win at Brighton and Hove Albion last weekend.

His injury misfortune has dealt a big blow to Wednesday's promotion aspirations.

With Fernando Forestieri (knee) also still unavailable for selection, it leaves Monk with Jordan Rhodes, Sam Winnall and Atdhe Nuhiu as his striking options ahead of his reunion with former club Leeds United on Saturday.

Monk, who is eager to add to his attacking firepower in the January transfer window, told The Star: "When you lose your top goal scorer - and those goals - but not just that, the way he was performing, of course it’s a blow.

"We have to deal with that, and if we can help in the window, we will.

"It probably puts more emphasis on that side of things. Also, it’s for people to step up to the plate, with an opportunity and prove they can do that.”

Scotland international Fletcher picked up his knock at the Amex Stadium after landing awkwardly following a challenge with full-back Gaëtan Bong.

“There’s no surgery needed, just proper rehab,” said Monk. “The time-frame we have been given by the specialist is eight to 10 weeks.

“That’s not ideal, but the fear straightaway - especially from his reaction - when he was on the floor, and the hours afterwards, was that it was a season-ender.

“It was an innocuous challenge, something you do thousands of times in training.

“He jumped like normal, but landed on the player’s foot. Slipping off that foot is what left him in awkward position.”

Monk’s side head to Elland Road lying in eighth position in the Championship, two points outside the play-offs.

On their last visit to West Yorkshire, the Owls succumbed to a 1-0 defeat after a second half strike by Jack Harrison.