What Sheffield Wednesday boss Garry Monk had to say about the performances of debutant Alessio Da Cruz and Fernando Forestieri in their 0-0 draw with Millwall

The tricky forward – who arrived in south Yorkshire on loan from Parma earlier this week – produced a moment or two of quality in the Lions’ third, offering quick-feet and driving determination in a game that had little.

Together with fellow second-half introduction Fernando Forestieri, it was through him that Wednesday looked at their most probing.

Owls boss Garry Monk, who described the goalless draw as a ‘fair result’, said the duo gave his side a fresh dimension in the final half-hour of the clash. The two men took up roles on either side of a three-man attack, both drifting inside to pose problems for the diligent Millwall defence.

“When he came on you saw glimpses of what he can offer and it’s something we haven’t really had,” Monk said on Da Cruz.

“Since losing Steven Fletcher it’s been quite obvious that that’s an area of the pitch that has been a priority that we needed to affect.”

Forestieri was making his first appearance since the away win at Charlton in November and produced a couple of handsome balls and jinking runs as the Owls searched for a winner.

The former Italy youth international is still on the road to full recovery, Monk said, but offered a cameo that will provide food for thought in the coming weeks.

Monk said: “They both had an impact when they came on. It was good to see Fernando back out there, he’s not fully at his sharpest or 100 per cent.

“Him and Alessio showed good link play and good quality at times, that’s going to be important going forward.

“We’ve got a fresh impetus of the new players, it gives everyone a lift, it gives everyone a challenge.”

Fellow new faces Connor Wickham and Josh Windass, brought in from Crystal Palace and Wigan respectively until the end of the season, were signed too late to make the squad.