Owls' winger Etienne Esajas is ready to put last term's injury woes behind him and fight for a shirt through the 2008/09 campaign.

The Dutchman has battled hard to regain fitness after a frustrating season last time out but is now champing at the bit for the new term to get underway.

He exclusively told swfc.co.uk at the Middlewood Road training ground: "I've been training in the holiday time and I feel good.

"I'm wanting to stay fit which is my main aim and then I want to get my chance to earn a place in the team."

The Owls travel to the winger's native Holland for their pre-season tour, during which Esajas is looking to kickstart his career.

The 23-year-old has stored only five starts for Wednesday since signing from Vitesse Arnhem in August 2007.

He added: "It's a new season and a new chance for everybody so you have got to get the best out of yourself and that's what I'll be aiming to do in the pre-season.

"Hopefully then I can do well with my football and be in a position to play in the team when the season starts."