This summer brings the first opportunity to watch a Sheffield Wednesday player at a World Cup for many, many years.

Sheffield Wednesday supporters can settle down in front of the television in the coming weeks to do something they haven’t been able to do since 1994 - but they’ll have to brave a fierce time difference to do so.

The Owls have a contracted player heading to the World Cup for the first time since John Sheridan played all four matches for the Republic of Ireland the last time the tournament headed to the USA all those years ago. Yan Valery has made the squad for Tunisia and is expected to play an important part in their effort to advance from the competition’s group stage for the first time and in what will be their seventh attempt.

Fans wanting to watch one of their own play on the biggest stage can do so - but they’ll have to set their alarms. Tunisia kick off their World Cup on Monday June 15 against Sweden at 3am UK time, before their clash with Japan on June 21 kicks off at 5am. Their final group game against Holland is a little gentler on the European sleep pattern and will kick-off at midnight.

Valery is expected to leave Wednesday this summer with one year remaining on his contract. He technically starts the World Cup as a BSC Young Boys player, having made the switch to the Swiss side on loan after the closure of the UK transfer window. He has made 63 appearances for the Owls, scoring three times and registering five assists.

“Definitely one of my toughest seasons on and off the pitch but we got through it and learnt from it,” Valery posted on social media last month. “So proud of all the boys I have shared the changing room with this season and would not have asked for it to be any different. Now time to reset and get ready for this amazing opportunity to represent my country at the World Cup.”