Why Sheffield Wednesday manager Garry Monk is not surprised by Jordan Rhodes' form

The striker has started the last two matches and was instrumental in their recent 4-0 hammering of Nottingham Forest, hitting a superb first half hat-trick.

"If you are conditioned, train hard, follow the training and you do it to your best, you always put yourself in a position where you can do yourself justice," said Monk. "In terms of what he did last week it didn’t surprise me because I’ve seen him working every day.

"It’s on the player to perform and when he gets his opportunity, to take it. He’s done that last week, so all credit to him, I’m delighted for him.

"He knows as well as anyone else the competitive nature of this league and this squad means he has to continue to perform and contribute like he did last week.

"We’re delighted for him but they’re all motivated to keep pushing on because they know there’s threats from within the squad, especially in this period with so many games.

"He knows that but all credit to him for doing the work needed behind the scenes and when the opportunity was presented he grabbed it with both hands."

Rhodes struggled for game time in the early part of Monk's reign and there was talk of Wednesday offloading him in the January transfer window.

So has Rhodes' recent performances changed Monk's transfer plans?

He said: "He’s had a really positive week. It’s a player that, now, if we can get him to contribute and keep contributing to the level that he’s been showing this week, it’s a great asset to have, isn’t it?

“It doesn’t alter anything that goes into January. We should be sitting this week, or the start of next week, with everyone involved in that process for January.

“But if I’m honest at this moment, all I want to think about and concentrate on is the games that are coming, because they’re going to come thick and fast and it’s (about) preparing the squad as best as possible for each and every one of them.”