Owls boss Dave Jones believes his side are in excellent shape after a challenging pre-season campaign and are eager to get the season underway.
Wednesday kick-off their 2012/13 campaign with a trip to Oldham in the first round of the Capital One Cup this evening.
And Jones is keen to start the new season with a passage into the next round of the competition ahead of Saturday’s Championship curtain-raiser against Derby at Pride Park.
He told swfc.co.uk: “I’m sure we will be favourites but we will have to be fully prepared.
“One thing I can guarantee every supporter is that, while I’m the manager, every player will be prepped to go into the game wanting to, and believing they can, win that football match.
“The players are chomping at the bit ahead of this game and are ready to go.”
One thing that has pleased Jones during pre-season is the physical condition of the players.
The Wednesday boss was delighted by the fitness levels of the squad upon their return to duty and continued:
“When a team does well the season before – and it doesn’t matter at what level – the players always seem to have that work ethic during the close season and everyone came back here in great shape.
“When the lads came back, they could have started the season the very next day.
“We were back four days and we were already playing full games against Stocksbridge and Sheffield FC and now everybody is looking forward to this game.”