Owls defender Liam Palmer is set to make his 100th appearance for Wednesday this weekend.
And while the Owls academy product will be hoping to mark his century of games with victory over Fulham, Stuart Gray said the milestone is a big positive for both the player and the club.
He said: “It’s great news for the academy and anybody coming through the system.
“He is almost on 100 but we don’t want him to stop there, we want him to go on, keep progressing and reach 200.
“Liam has worked hard and gained vital experience. He went to Tranmere and played over 40 games and you can see the benefit of the loan system.
“I would always tell a young professional, the most important thing you need is to be playing at three-o-clock on Saturday afternoon.”
Owls right back Lewis Buxton is nearing a return to full training, and is now working with the fitness coaching staff along with Kamil Zayatte.
The Owls head coach is hopeful the duo will be back in training next week to provide extra competition in the rearguard.
He added: “We probably lack a little competition in that area with Lewis not fit to play.
“Fingers crossed, hopefully they will be out training next week.
“Liam needs that competition, as does everybody in the squad, but it’s credit to him and the football club that he has got 100 games under his belt.”