Revealed: Why Sheffield Wednesday's Barry Bannan had been playing in a deeper role

Fans had noticed that the Sheffield Wednesday midfielder was sitting in a deeper position and not getting forward as much as he normally would do.

Some wondered if Bannan had been given specific instructions by boss Garry Monk to position himself there, but the Scot says the reason was a lot more practical, due primarily to the fact that he had been carrying a groin injury.

"To be honest, since the Leeds game I have had this problem and I couldn't really get about," he told The Star.

"I couldn't get around. I maybe should have came out. I spoke with the gaffer frequently and it was one of them things where I can play.

"It was getting through the pain and then it goes and then it would come on later on in the game.

"I have not been playing deeper (as a tactic), it's probably just the injury I have been carrying.

"Touch wood it felt brilliant (against Birmingham) and never hampered me at all. Hopefully I can have a strong end to the season and that can help the team."

Bannan also revealed that he had taken an injection to cope with the injury.

He added: “Touch wood, that injection could have saved me for the rest of the season. Hopefully it's gone and I can kick on now.”