"It's not a major thing for us" - Garry Monk dismisses concerns about a key area for Sheffield Wednesday

Monk's side, who dropped to eighth in the Championship after their midweek draw at Derby County, have gone seven matches without recording a shut-out.

You have to go back to October 26 for the last time the Owls kept a clean sheet.

But Monk, whose team travel to promotion-chasing Nottingham Forest on Saturday, insists he is not overly worried by their recent defensive frailties.

He told The Star: "It is not the overall concern at all but it is obviously something we want and are trying to focus on doing.

"We have been unlucky not to keep some clean sheets, but there are no excuses. It is another thing we need to improve, but not a major thing for us.

"We want to get back to clean sheets. It is not like we are getting cut open and that is our undoing."

The Owls chief will have to make enforced change at the back for their trip to the City Ground. Right-back Moses Odubajo is unavailable for selection following his dismissal at Derby. Liam Palmer is poised to replace Odubajo as long as he shakes off a minor knock.

"Defensively, the foundation is there," stressed Monk. "But it is just little details and that's what we are working on.

"You have to credit players as they are working every day on it and they have the attitude to do it. This was just a little bit too scrappy."