Sheffield Wednesday: Goal hero Massimo Luongo looks to future after Wigan Athletic triumph

Luongo marked his first Championship start for Wednesday in style, hitting a 57th minute winner in Saturday's battling victory over Wigan Athletic.

The 27-year-old, recruited in a £1m deal from QPR, lashed home from 15 yards after a neat pull back from Adam Reach.

Luongo told The Star: "I was pleased to get on the scoresheet. I always want to improve my goal-scoring record and get it up and just be a threat more."

The Owls huffed and puffed in a drab first half. They lacked quality in the final third and did not force Latics goalkeeper David Marshall into one save.

The closest Wednesday came to scoring was when stand-in captain Barry Bannan struck the post with a fine 25-yard strike.

"It was not a great game," acknowledged Luongo. "I couldn't get into it in the first half.

"I think we needed a little bit of a wake-up call and a push in the second half.

"We came out flying and pressed well.

"I think my goal was the reward of us working harder and being a bit more assertive in the final third.

"Everyone did their jobs a little better and the result was a goal."

Luongo will be hoping he has done enough to retain his place in Garry Monk's starting XI. Monk faces a midfield selection headache after the international break as he will be able to call upon Sam Hutchinson again after the former Chelsea youngster sat out the Wigan clash due to a one-match suspension for collecting five bookings.