WATCH: How Sheffield Wednesday fans greeted Fernando Forestieri's return and then celebrated his goal

Fernando Forestieri curls in a terrific free kick on his return to action

He was cheered when he stepped onto the pitch for the warm up, his name was cheered when read out before the match.

Then, in the 78th minute, Hillsborough rose in unison to welcome back one of their heroes.

Forestieri had barely played this season, and hadn't made an appearance at his home ground all year having spent much of the campaign recovering from an operation on his injured knee.

MATCH VERDICT: Pride and passion restored on a GREAT Friday for Owls: Sheffield Wednesday 4 Preston North End 1

So the sight of the Argentinian running back out onto the Hillsborough turf was greeted with all the excitement you can imagine.

It was to get better still.

Fernando Forestieri celebrates his goal against Preston

In injury time, moments after Atdhe Nuhiu had made it 3-1 to Wednesday with a stunning strike, Forestieri stepped up to take a free kick just outside the box.

The Kop sang his name and at that point there was a feeling there would be only one outcome ... and there was.

The free kick sailed into the goal and Hillsborough lifted again. How he has been missed.

Jos Luhukay said afterwards: "For Fernando, what a way to come back and I could not be happier for him.”