Owls boss looks ahead to tonight's game
Dave Jones says tonight’s friendly contest with Sporting Lisbon will take his players’ fitness to the next level.
The Owls prepared for the Sporting encounter with a light training session on Sunday morning before heading into Albuifera ahead of the game.
And the manager told swfc.co.uk that fitness benefits will carry far more importance than the result in Portugal.
He said: “Tonight is all about fitness. This game will ramp it up a few notches and that is what the players need at this stage of pre-season.
“The result is not important but the fitness levels are. We’ve had a really good few days in Portugal and now it will be good for the players to get some game time under the belt.
“They will feel it, that is for sure, but that is what they need.”
In terms of team selection, Jones will shuffle his pack throughout the game, utilising the squad at his disposal.
But one constant will be young keeper Cameron Dawson.
Nicky Weaver and Stephen Bywater will both sit out the Sporting Lisbon friendly for precautionary reasons with minor strains.
As a result, teenage custodian Dawson will take the gloves and make his debut for the Owls.
Jones said: “Nicky and Stephen have minor injuries so it makes sense to keep them out of this game.
“It gives Cameron a big chance and this is an opportunity for him.
“Things can change very quickly in football. Cameron came over here essentially as a training goalkeeper but now he will get a chance to play.”
The game at the Albufiera Municipal Stadium kicks off at 8.00pm and swfc.co.uk will have a full match report after the game.
The Owls’ multimedia channel Wednesday Player, meanwhile, will broadcast extended highlights followed by full, uninterrupted coverage of the whole 90 minutes.