Sheffield Wednesday defender on the boost his side have received in the last few days

The return of Tom Lees to first team contention is a ‘big plus’ for Sheffield Wednesday, according to his centre-half starting berth rival Julian Börner.
Julian Borner and Tom Lees receive the congratulations of caretaker manager Lee Bullen earlier this seasonJulian Borner and Tom Lees receive the congratulations of caretaker manager Lee Bullen earlier this season
Julian Borner and Tom Lees receive the congratulations of caretaker manager Lee Bullen earlier this season

The Wednesday skipper has been out since the end of August with a hamstring injury suffered in the warm-up for their defeat to QPR, leaving the German to strike up an understanding with Dominic Iorfa at the heart of defence on a run that has seen them concede only four goals in Garry Monk’s eight league matches in charge.

Indeed, Lees’ injury means he is yet to feature in Monk’s tenure, but with Börner having had to sit out of Saturday’s clash with Leeds United with an ankle tweak, his return may have come at an opportune time.

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Speaking last week the Owls boss confirmed that Lees had re-joined full-time training and though he needed to build his ‘football fitness’, he could be considered for a return to the squad at Blackburn this weekend.

Börner said competition for places was rife right across the squad and that the return of Lees can only be good for the defence.

“It’s good for us and it’s good for the team,” he said. “It’s a big plus. We have four, five, six defenders and every player wants to play.

“It’s a big fight and I’m very happy that he’s back fighting. He’s back in training and he’s so important for us and the team.

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“He’s a very good captain and a very good player, we’ll see next week what happens.”

Sam Hutchinson performed diligently in Börner’s absence on Saturday but it is surely Lees who would deputise for the German if he is to prove his fitness. Lees was not included in selection for the club’s under-23s defeat to Barnsley on Monday.

Börner underwent a scan on his ankle on Monday and the extent of his injury is not yet known, though it is not believed to be serious.