Sheffield Wednesday: Steve Bruce pays big compliment to Owls ace Fernando Forestieri

Injuries have plagued Forestieri in the past two seasons, restricting him to just 26 appearances.

But having recovered from a hamstring problem, Forestieri made his first start in two months in Saturday's battling win over struggling Ipswich Town. The 29-year-old, deployed in the number 10 position, featured prominently before being taken off with four minutes remaining.

Bruce told The Star: "I don't believe that Forestieri is a left hand sided player. He is off the front and a bit of a free spirit.

"I know he is going to be hard work but I like him. He has got a bit of devil in him. He's a good footballer and if we can get him smiling again and keep him fit then, for me, he's as good a player as there is in the Championship."

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The only thing that let Forestieri down at Portman Road was his finishing. The former Watford man planted a free header over the bar in the first half and uncharacteristically blazed over when one on one with goalkeeper goalkeeper Bartosz Bialkowski in the second period.

"He has had a lot of problems with injuries,” said Bruce. “He had an ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) and a horrible couple of hamstring injuries.

"It was good to see him back at Ipswich. I thought he showed glimpses of what a good player he is. He missed a few chances but on another day could have scored. He will only get better."

Fellow striker Lucas Joao stepped up off the bench to grab a late goal and ensure Bruce kicked off his Owls reign with a win.

"It is always nice when you make a sub and the guy comes on and scores," admitted Bruce. "Lucas was somebody we looked at a lot at Aston Villa. The kid has got a talent.

"But I thought [Steven] Fletcher in the first half against Ipswich and in the Wigan game was excellent. A bit of competition doesn't harm anybody."