Sheffield Wednesday matches come thick and fast in the coming weeks.

Jaden Heskey’s impact from the bench in recent weeks will offer opportunity starting matches as Sheffield Wednesday tackle a busy period in the fixture schedule, Owls boss Henrik Pedersen has said.

Wednesday will enter a manic run of five matches in 15 days from this weekend’s visit of AFC Wimbledon to Hillsborough, with the Owls seeking more consistency in their performances despite a run of eight matches unbeaten in all competitions. On-loan Manchester City youngster Heskey had a positive impact in coming off the bench ahead of their comeback draw at Huddersfield Town over the weekend and is in-line for more minutes as inevitable rotation comes.

Big names Barry Bannan, Billy Mitchell and Callum Slattery have enjoyed the bulk of time in a midfield three that has tweaked in position and instruction this season, with Heskey having started both EFL Trophy matches alongside a win at Peterborough United that saw him taken off for the niggle-carrying Mitchell before the hour.

Consistency is the next step for Heskey as it is for so many younger players but the hope would be that he can provide the sort of impact he brought to his substitute appearance at Wycombe Wanderers and that at the Accu Stadium. The 20-year-old goes about his game differently to his midfield colleagues and though they are big names, the opportunity to rotate could uncover a fresh regular option.

“His running capacity is amazing,” Owls boss Pedersen told The Star. “His pressing, his second ball, his duels, he is really strong here. We are working with Jaden to be more versatile. Also in a game like this, if we can call it in training, in a such an important game. But we are training to put pressure on the opponent, on the ball, to break line with his passes.

“So it's a big theme for many of the players. When they feel most comfortable to play backwards, sideways, they must be ready to risk more, to play more forward, to bypass more opponents.”

Asked whether he had pushed his case enough to start more matches in the coming weeks, the Danish coach simply said: “Yeah, for sure he will.”