Alan Irvine is seeking a positive response from his players as the table-topping Owls prepare to face second-placed Carlisle at Hillsborough on Saturday.

Wednesday suffered their first defeat of the season at Brentford last weekend and the manager is keen to return to winning ways against the Cumbrian side.

He said: "I think it's important that you bounce back. It's important that if you are going to be a good team and have a good season, that you're able to respond to disappointments.

"The Brentford result was undoubtedly a disappointment and we will hopefully respond in the right way against Carlisle.

"It's a good game, there's no question about that. Carlisle are unbeaten in the league so far and have been playing very well.

"I have watched their last couple of games and they are a good side. They pass the ball well, they play with a different system - a diamond system - and they understand how to play that system."

A familiar face to Wednesdayites will line up for Carlisle as ex-Owl Frank Simek makes a maiden return to his old stamping ground.

The American defender was one of a string of players released by Irvine over the summer following relegation but the S6 chief expects a warm welcome for Simek.

He said: "Frank is a smashing lad who was a pleasure to work with and a very good professional. I'm sure our supporters will be very kind to him.

"I felt we needed to make some major changes over the summer. We had an opportunity here that you quite often don't get as a manager.

"A lot of players were out of contract and I just felt that we needed a different dressing room when we started back on the 1 July.

"None of the outfield players who were out of contract were offered new deals and obviously, Frank was one of them.

"From what I've seen and what I've heard, since he's been at Carlisle, he's done very well for them and I wish him the very best of luck for the future."