Sheffield Wednesday defender, Frank Simek, is looking forward to the expected step-up in quality on Thursday night when the Owls feature in their second triangular tournament in Malta.

The right back was instrumental on Monday when Brian Laws' side lifted the JPL Cup after comfortably beating Floriana and Dingli Swallows. Tonight's opposition though in the Centenary Cup - Birkirkara and Sliema Wanderers - are expected to give Wednesday a sterner challenge and Simek is primed for the test.

He exclusively told Wednesday World: "We didn't play the greatest teams in the world on Monday but it was still a good workout. We are told that the teams on Thursday are a better standard and that's something we look forward to.

"There could be a few tackles going in and that's good because you don't want to stroll around in a pre-season game. We have tough friendly games against Premiership teams when we get back home so we have to make sure we are well prepared."

Simek revealed that Owls fitness coach, Tom Little, is pushing the players where possible in the gruelling Maltese heat. Early morning training sessions with the management team have been combined with afternoon gym work and the American international is feeling the benefit.

He added: "It does take a while to acclimatise to the heat when you're used to the English weather. We are training early in the morning and it's hard work but you certainly see the rewards.

"Tom is working us hard in the gym so we're getting a good programme of fitness work that will serve us well for when we get back home."

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