The man to lead Sheffield Wednesday's revival

The centre-forward has yet to get off the mark since arriving from Premier League Crystal Palace on January deadline-day.

Wickham, on loan until the end of the season, led the attack against lowly Barnsley and Luton Town but looks a player still short on match fitness and sharpness following a lack of game time at Selhurst Park this season.

Although the service into Wickham has been nowhere near good enough, the 26-year-old has struggled to hold the ball up and bring the midfield into play.

It is a far cry from six years ago when the striker notched an impressive eight goals in 11 appearances during his last loan stint with the Championship club.

Speaking to BBC Radio Sheffield after the Owls were held to a 1-1 draw by Barnsley, Palmer said: "We know what he is capable of, especially me having played with him before. He was great in his last loan spell.

"He is keen to play games.

"I think he had a couple of options but he chose Sheffield Wednesday, which speaks volumes about him and what he thinks of the club.

"He wants to come and show that again and we are obviously grateful for a player of that stature to come and showcase his ability.

"We can hopefully help him and he can help us as a club.

"It is a big plus in him coming on loan until the end of the season and he will give us something different going forward."

Wickham is expected to make his first home appearance since returning to S6 when Garry Monk's men entertain mid-table Reading this weekend.

"He is a big presence; a big strong guy," admitted Palmer.

"He has a couple of different strings to his bow. He is good with his feet as well as well as in the air.

"If we can get the ball to him as often as possible, I'm sure he will make things happen for us."