Is it time for yet another 'new dawn' for Jordan Rhodes at Sheffield Wednesday?

The club-record signing, who has re-emerged into the starting line-up for the third time this season after a long absence put down only to a lack of form, was busy in a front two with equaliser hero Connor Wickham after a surprise call-up.

The side featured no starters whose contract is up at the end of the month, suggesting Monk may have been thinking longer-term in terms of his selection.

Asked about a potential partnership between Wickham and Rhodes, Monk said: “They worked hard, tirelessly with Jordan. They plan was to bring on Fletch and Alessio but Fletch had to come straight back off.

“Connor deserved his goal and did really well, but I thought they both did, there was a lot of really good stuff and stuff we’d been working on, so I was really pleased with that.”

The partnership brings them together for the first time since they were youngsters at Ipswich.

Wickham said: “Jordan has worked incredibly hard since I have been here. He hasn’t been involved, but he has been the ultimate professional in everything he has done.

“You can see the quality he possesses, on the pitch. But as with all strikers, it’s that sharpness, that killer instinct.

“I have known Jordan since I was 15-year-old at Ipswich, and I know what he is capable of.”

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