Owls ace keen on Portugal friendlies
Rob Jones is eagerly anticipating the Owls’ twin friendly encounters this week as the team continue their pre-season preparations in Portugal.
Wednesday face European giants Sporting Lisbon on Sunday, two days before taking on newly-promoted Premiership side Reading.
Both games take place at the Albufeira Municipal Stadium and will kick-off at 8.00pm.
Jones said: “It shows you how far we have come as a club over the past year or so. We wouldn’t have got anywhere near a side like Sporting Lisbon not so long ago.
“Reading is also a great game for us because they were outstanding in the Championship last season, which is where we will be playing, and they are now in the Premiership, which is where we want to be.
“Also with Sporting, it will be a different game because they are a European team with some terrific young players.
“They play in European competition almost every year and that is something that Sheffield Wednesday aspires to do.”
Jones also told swfc.co.uk that the new recruits are settling in well at the club’s training base in Portugal and underlined the benefits of working in the scorching sunshine across Europe.
He said: “The facilities we have here are first class and that kind of thing really does make a difference to the whole feel of the place and how the new lads settle in.
“We have a really good group here and the spirit is great.
“The sunshine does put a smile on your face but first and foremost, the manager has stressed that we are here to work and all the lads are fully on board with that.
“If you don’t put the effort in, you won’t get the rewards, it really is as simple as that.”