Fernando Forestieri is eagerly anticipating the remainder of the season and heads into the home straight with a fresh frame of mind.
Having emerged from Mansfield Magistrates Court on Thursday with his good name intact, the Owls’ forward has spoken of the frustrations of recent months – and how he can hopefully use the coming weeks as a springboard for better things.
He said: “I’m very happy because these few months have not been easy but now I can focus on football. And I hope we can all do something nice for the club.
“Of course it affected me, and my family. My wife, my mum, my dad, my grandma, they are in Argentina and they have been very sad.
“Now I think I’m more clear in my mind because although I tried not to think about it, it’s impossible. You think about it because you are very sad and disappointed because I know I am not like that.
“I am not a person or player who is racist or who tries to say offensive things to my colleagues. The first rule in football, and in life, is respect. This is how your mum teaches you, it’s about respect in life. It doesn’t matter about your religion or the country you come from, you need to respect.
“When I was accused of that, I feel so bad to my mum and dad because it looks like I don’t have manners. And the first thing my mum taught me was to have respect for other people.”
Back on the park, Wednesday visit Stoke on Saturday with S6 sights firmly fixed ahead in the Championship table.
Steve Bruce’s side resume after the international break two points shy of the top six and Forestieri is desperate to play his part as the curtain starts to fall on 2018/19.
He added: “Now I’m focused on tomorrow and let’s see how we prepare the game and what the gaffer wants us to do.
“We try to do our best, if I play I will do my best. If I am on the bench and come on even for ten minutes or however long the gaffer needs from me I will do my best to help the team.
“I’m a happy boy but what has happened has made me very sad, but now I want to forget and focus on these eight games.
“I don’t care if I score or not, I just want to help the team, and if I help another player score a goal that is more important.
“We know we have very tough games, but in the Championship everything is possible, so we need to think about tomorrow and let’s see.”