Head coach Stuart Gray has said it’s important to focus on one game at a time with a hectic batch of fixtures on the horizon.
Due to Wednesday’s ongoing progress in the FA Cup and the subsequent postponement of Championship fixtures, the forthcoming weeks promise to be one of the busiest periods this term.
As Wednesday aim to continue their rise up the division, a place in the FA Cup quarter final is also at stake next Monday in the S6 clash with Charlton but Gray insists it is vital to remain fully focused on the next game.
And for the Owls, that challenge is Derby County this evening and on the Rams, Gray said:
“We know Derby are a strong side and Steve McClaren has got them organised and playing good football.
“They beat us 3-0 earlier in the season and rightly deserved the three points but we are now a very different Sheffield Wednesday.
“I’m sure everybody is looking at next Monday and the potential to reach the FA Cup quarter finals where Sheffield United await and that is a great incentive.
“But like I say, we can only concentrate on our next game. Our full attention is on Derby and that’s how it has to be.
“The league remains our bread and butter and securing Championship football for next season. We have pulled away from the relegation zone with some excellent performances and results.
“But we can’t take our foot off the gas because as fast as you move away from it, you can just as quickly fall back into it.”
The Owls have been given a further boost ahead of this evening’s clash with Derby with a number of players returning from injury.
Michail Antonio is pushing for a start and Glenn Loovens is back available for action, giving Gray plenty of options in all areas.
He added: “Loovens was fit for Saturday and will be fit for Derby which is a real positive for us.
“Antonio is knocking at the door for a start and the three loan boys, Sam Hutchinson, Leon Best and Gary Gardner have all settled in really well and are in contention for the game.”