Carlos Carvalhal says the Owls’ sights are squarely on climbing the Championship table ahead of Friday night’s home clash with Reading.
The Royals arrive at Hillsborough in fifth place but Wednesday, one slot lower, will leapfrog their visitors with victory on home soil.
That is the incentive for the Owls, as Carvalhal explained in his pre-match media conference on Thursday.
He said: “For us, it is all about moving higher up the table. On Friday we know we can do this with victory.
“We can move to fifth position and this is where we are aiming. But this will be a tough game, for Reading and us.
“It is the first of nine games we have to go and we are ready. We have prepared very well all week and we are looking forward to this game.”
The final international break of the season kicks in following the weekend round of fixtures and Carvalhal says the timing is welcome ahead of the home straight.
He added: “The break will come at a very good time for us and it will be the same with other teams in the division.
“The Championship is very, very demanding playing Saturday, Tuesday and Saturday so to get the chance to rest and recover before the final games is a very good thing.
“Everybody is battling for different reasons and the one common thing will be the intensity of these final games.
“Every team will be giving their maximum and Sheffield Wednesday will be there the same, giving nothing less than 100%.”