Wood and Johnson set to return

Richard Wood missed the Owls' last game against Leicester, one in which fellow central defender Michael Johnson went off injured during the first half.

Both had groin injuries but last week's Championship break has enabled both players to recover and to pitch themselves back into the plans of manager Brian Laws for Saturday's trip to Stoke City.

Laws confirmed today that Wood and Johnson are now ok and they figured in a private friendly against Chesterfield at Middlewood yesterday, a game won 3-0 with goals from Deon Burton, Jermaine Johnson and Kenny Lunt.

"I wanted us to have a game under our belts after having a free weekend," said Laws.

What do you think? Post your comments below.

"It was good to get them going again and also getting goals always helps whatever the game is. We made plenty of opportunities and it was a good workout.

"The players were lively and it was beneficial but we well know that, come Saturday, Stoke will be an altogether different matter. But yesterday was all about getting out there and playing again."

Meanwhile, one of the players set to face Wednesday next Saturday, Mamady Sidibe, was back at the Britannia Stadium nursing an arm injury after being attacked whilst on internationmal duty.

The tall Stoke striker - along with Sevilla's former West Ham striker Freddie Kanoute - was attacked by rivals fans after helping Mali beat Togo 2-0 in Lome and so qualify for the 2008 African Cup of Nations.

Angry Togo fans managed to attack some of the Mali players and Sidibe suffered an arm injury.

"There was blood everywhere," said the Mali coach Jean-Francois Jodar. "Mamady took a blow, doubtless with a weapon, which caused bruising to his arm. Frederic was hit with a belt, it was like a battlefield."

FIFA are to investigate.

Football headlines.

Football gossip

More sport