What Sheffield Wednesday boss Garry Monk said about the return of injured players for Nottingham Forest clash

But speaking at his pre-match press conference ahead of this weekend’s clash at Hillsborough, the Owls boss confirmed that midfielder Kieran Lee will be missing due to the groin injury he suffered in the FA Cup defeat to Manchester City eight days ago.

Borner limped off with some tightness in his hamstring during the City game while Luongo (calf), Odubajo (hamstring) and Reach (toe) have all returned to training and are available for selection for the Forest game.

“This week we have had a free week, so they have been training all week,” said Monk.

“They’re all up for involvement, the only on that we have in the treatment room is Kieran Lee. But obviously within the group everyone is at different stages, like those guys there that have just come back.

“But they trained the back end of last week and in the main training this week they have been involved in it. It’s good to have them back out on the pitches.”

And Monk said he hopes Luongo has now put behind the spate of injuries which have dogged his first season at S6 since joining from QPR.

“It’s been a bit of a shame for him,” said Monk. “He’s kind of being patchy in terms of his availability this season. It’s been very unfortunate. He’s had a few injuries and it probably came at a time when he was in good form and doing very well, but again that’s part and parcel of football and unfortunately it happens and it was unfortunate for him at the times those injuries came around when he was performing well getting equipped to being in the team.

“It’s been unfortunate but he’s back. He’s been training well this week and again will be at different levels of fitness to others but to have him available along with the others is obviously good for us.”

Monk revealed that Lee could be back in training ‘some time next week’ or during the international break later this month.