The Owls’ pre-season continues against Championship opposition this weekend

Sheffield Wednesday’s pre-season fixture at Championship Preston this weekend will consist of two 60-minute halves.

The Owls have so far lost 3-0 to West Brom in a behind-closed-doors friendly at St George’s Park before two young line-ups played out a goalless draw against Hallam on Tuesday night at Sandygate. Senior first-team members attended the game and mingled with supporters before kick-off but did not take to the pitch.

Next up is another private friendly against Preston on Saturday, which will take place at the Lilywhites’ training ground. The fixture had initially been scheduled for Wednesday’s Middlewood Road training base but it has since been switched for logistical reasons.

Another detail to emerge is that instead of two 45- minute halves, the sides will go head-to-head for two 60-minute halves, allowing for both clubs to get more fitness into more players’ legs. The squad will then fly out to Hungary and then Austria for a week-long training camp.

Paul Heckingbottom, who won promotion with Wednesday as a player, and when manager of Sheffield United, will be taking his squad to Spain following this weekend’s game.

He said: “We’re playing Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday and then we’ll have a tough, physical week out in Spain. The lads have come back fitter than last season and that’s all you can ask for. Our players are in a good space physically. We want them to be fit, be stronger and they are, which is a good sign. We’re just going to continue progressing in the same way, keeping up the minutes and introducing a little bit more tactical work.

“I've not changed too much over the years in terms of how I approach pre-season and trying to get the lads ready for that first game of the season. From this moment on, there's a little bit more tactical work that starts getting dripped into the players. The opposition changes as well and the lads will start getting 70 minutes, 90 minutes.”