Sheffield Wednesday: Why the Owls have decided not to go on an overseas pre-season training camp

Sheffield Wednesday have confirmed their pre-season preparations will be UK-based this summer.
Owls boss Jos Luhukay has explained the club's thinking behind not going on a pre-season training camp abroadOwls boss Jos Luhukay has explained the club's thinking behind not going on a pre-season training camp abroad
Owls boss Jos Luhukay has explained the club's thinking behind not going on a pre-season training camp abroad

In recent years, the Championship club have jetted out to Portugal for a number of days to bed in new players and get players back up to scratch fitness wise.

The Owls spent five days in the Algarve last year, a trip which included three warm-up matches against Portimonense, SC Farense and Vitória de Setúbal.

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And in 2016, Wednesday also went away and played Sporting Clube de Braga in Albufeira.

But the Owls’ hierarchy have decided against going abroad this year.

Manager Jos Luhukay, who is preparing to embark on his first pre-season in charge of Wednesday, said: “We thought about going away but I have spent a lot years in Austria, Holland and Germany so know the travel always takes a lot of time out of the camps.

“When you go and comeback, you lose at least one or two training days so we have decided we will stay in England.”

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Wednesday’s players are due to report back for pre-season on June 25.

“Pre-season is always very important,” stressed Luhukay. “We have to come in a good feeling and in a good shape.”

Luhukay believes their pre-season work will lay strong foundations for the 2018/19 campaign as the Owls look to mount a promotion push.

When asked if there will be a mixture of ball and fitness work, Luhukay said: “It’s a complex situation.

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“We must decide what we must do and we will try to make a good preparation. The physical side from the team and the players is very important.

“The Championship is such a strong, intensive league so you must have good preparation.”

Wednesday have yet to confirm any pre-season friendlies.