Sheffield Wednesday captain Tom Lees speaks for the first time about having to wait for playing time under Garry Monk

The Sheffield Wednesday captain, part of the furniture in the Hillsborough back line since his move from Leeds United five years ago, suffered a hamstring injury in the warm-up for the Owls’ 2-1 home defeat to QPR in August, rendering him lame for the first 10 games of the new manager’s reign.

An injury first described as ‘minor’ rumbled on and Lees was forced to watch from the sidelines as Dominic Iorfa and Julian Börner struck up an understanding, conceding only two goals in a stoic five-match October.

His return to the side has been impressive, shoring up a defence that had begun to leak. Saturday’s 4-0 win at Nottingham Forest was their first clean sheet since that October run ended with a 0-0 draw against Leeds United.

Speaking to The Star about his injury, suffered in the days before Monk’s unveiling, Lees said: “It was frustrating. No one likes to get injured.

“I do everything that I can to stay fit.

“It was one of them things. It was bad timing.

“I had to wait for my chance. It is like anyone in the squad, when you get your chance you have got to take it.

“You know you have to be on it every week because we have got quality players in every position. It is no different from me than anyone else.

“When you get that opportunity, you know you have to be ready for it.”

Since his return to the side Wednesday are on a run of five matches unbeaten. Fan favourite Börner is the man to have made way.

And speaking ahead of their clash with promotion rivals Bristol City on Saturday, the club captain is pleased with the way his side are performing.

“I don't think there has been a game that we have not been in or been the worse side.

“We had 45 minutes against Brentford where we were poor.

“We have been competitive and in every game.

“We have competition all over the squad. It is lifting everyone and making sure everyone's at it every week.”