Pundit Ian Holloway has heaped praise on Jordan Rhodes after the striker's match-winning contribution in Sheffield Wednesday's comprehensive win over Nottingham Forest.

Rhodes claimed a stunning first half hat-trick to help the Owls thump promotion rivals Forest 4-0 at the City Ground.

The 29-year-old, who has struggled to hit top form and hold down a regular starting berth since joining the Hillsborough outfit in a club-record £8m deal from Middlesbrough in February 2017, scored three times in 28 minutes. He completed his treble in spectacular fashion, dispatching an unstoppable overhead kick past Brice Samba.

Steven Fletcher, Rhodes' strike partner, prodded in the fourth to cap off an impressive first period.

Speaking on the Quest highlights show on Saturday night, ex-Blackpool and Crystal Palace manager Holloway said: "I am so pleased for him. Form goes in and out and class is forever.

"He [Rhodes] knows where the net is. He is one of the best and he is helping a great team get going again."

Brentford and Derby County have recently taken a swipe at the Owls, accusing Garry Monk's side of being a physical, direct team. Indeed, Rhodes' opener came from Fletcher flicking on Cameron Dawson's long kick upfield.

But Holloway has defended their brand of football under boss Garry Monk.

placeholder image — Hat trick hero Jordan Rhodes

"He [Monk] has changed his style a little bit because he wants to get the ball to the big lads up front and play off that," he said. "It is not a long ball at all.

"You have got to play the right ball with the players they have got."