Sheffield Wednesday can cope without star striker Steven Fletcher, insists midfield ace

Winger Adam Reach is confident the Owls can cope without Steven Fletcher if the striker fails to overcome a knee injury in time to face Championship leaders Leeds United.
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Fletcher was carried off on a stretcher in the second half of Saturday's FA Cup victory over Brighton and Hove Albion after he landed awkwardly in a challenge with Gaetan Bong.

The 32-year-old underwent an X-ray, which confirmed he had not suffered a break, but was pencilled in for further scans this week.

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Fletcher has played an instrumental role in Wednesday's promotion push, hitting 12 goals this season.

The moment Steven Fletcher injured himself in a challenge with Gaetan Bong. Pic Steve EllisThe moment Steven Fletcher injured himself in a challenge with Gaetan Bong. Pic Steve Ellis
The moment Steven Fletcher injured himself in a challenge with Gaetan Bong. Pic Steve Ellis

It would be a major blow to the Owls' hopes of picking up a positive result against Leeds this Saturday if Fletcher was unavailable for selection.

But Reach, who netted the winner at Brighton after a well-worked free kick routine, told The Star: "It never looks nice when you land awkwardly on your knee but he [Fletcher] was back in the dressing room after the game and seemed to be in good spirits.

"Of course, we need Fletcher fit and firing if we want to climb this table.

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"Fingers crossed he will be fit for Leeds but, if he is not, we have got strikers in abundance at this club who are itching to get a start. I'm sure if one of them comes in they will do excellent.

"Sometimes a negative thing like that can be a positive for someone else.

"I thought Sam [Winnall] was great when he came on at Brighton and gave us that little bit more energy. "

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