The reason why Sheffield Wednesday captain Tom Lees missed their win over Leeds United

The centre-back, a lynchpin in Wednesday's defence in recent years, missed the trip to West Yorkshire due to illness.

"He has been ill over the last two days," said boss Garry Monk.

"He trained on Friday but he didn't feel right after the training session so that is why he didn't travel."

In Lees’ absence, Julian Börner partnered Dominic Iorfa for the second match running at the heart of their rearguard. The pair played a big part in helping blunt promotion-chasing Leeds’ mobile forward line as they ended a three-match losing streak in the league.

“We didn't have battered and bruised bodies in that (Christmas) week,” said Monk. “In the last two weeks we have and that's the price, the sacrifice you have to pay.

“That's the robustness you're looking for and the most pleasing bit.”