Loanee in line for quick Owls return

Gary Hooper is expected to make a swift recovery from his injury as Sheffield Wednesday bid to get their promotion push back on track.
Gary HooperGary Hooper
Gary Hooper

The striker, who has netted two goals in 10 Owls appearances, sat-out Monday’s clash against Middlesbrough due to a dead leg.

Head coach Carlos Carvalhal is confident Hooper and Daniel Pudil (back) will be available for selection again when they travel to mid-table Fulham on Saturday looking for their first away win since October 23.

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“Daniel finished with a problem in the back and Gary got a little kick; I’m sure they will be ready for the next game,” said Carvalhal.

Should he win his fitness battle, Hooper, on loan from Norwich City, will be pushing to make his fifth Wednesday start at Craven Cottage.

Under the terms of the agreement, the 27-year-old is set to stay at Hillsborough until January 17 when the deal will be re-evaluated.

If Hooper is granted permission by his parent club to play in the FA Cup, the former Scunthorpe United centre forward will have four matches remaining of his loan spell.

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More than half of Hooper’s outings have come from the substitutes bench. His two strikes have come away at relegation-threatened MK Dons and at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers. While his form and performances have improved, he has still yet win over all Wednesdayites.