Darren Moore has expressed his sincere gratitude for the ‘outstanding’ level of care received and raft of get well messages as he continues on the road to recovery.
The Wednesday manager has been laid low with pneumonia as a result of contracting COVID-19 but is thankfully heading in the right direction en route to fitness.
While there is no set time scale for a return to duty at Hillsborough, Moore is steadily taking each day as it comes and has been significantly boosted by the support shown inside and outside S6.
He told swfc.co.uk: “I would like to say a big, big thank you for the unbelievable support I have received. I have been overwhelmed and touched by the love.
“To the paramedics, the doctors, all the medical staff, I cannot thank you enough, the care I have been given has been outstanding. I have basically been resting for the last week, continuing with the medication. The biggest thing is the rest to aid my recovery. I am in a whole new world and rest is not something I am used to but it’s what I need to be doing.
“I can tell you that all the messages sent to me personally, through the club and posted online have been such a big tonic. From other football clubs and managers, players and staff, supporters, the media – there has been no stone unturned. I’ve had so many nice messages from people outside of football as well.
“If you are an individual or an organisation who has shown your support, thank you, because this has rocked my world.
“For my football club, for Sheffield Wednesday, I cannot speak highly enough. The support staff and everyone at the club has been incredible. Our doctor, Richard Higgins, has given me specialist advice and the way he acted so quickly and efficiently was remarkable really and now I am taking the right guidance to help get me back to the right condition.
“I keep fit, I am active, but this got hold of me very quickly and that was the alarming thing. I went downhill rapidly but over the past few days I do feel my body is getting back to where it should be as an individual. That’s a big positive because my body has not been my own.
“By resting I am building my strength and energy levels which will allow my body to strengthen. I am chomping at the bit to get back but I have to listen to the medical advice.
“It is obviously difficult to get back into the work environment right now from a physical point of view. I am touching base with my staff day to day and the next thing is being able to be there and in the building which at this moment in time is something I cannot do. I must respect the situation and the more I do that now means it is better for me in the long term.”
Short term, Moore again underlined the frustrations of being away from what he does best right at the business end of an unprecedented campaign.
The Owls have two games remaining to preserve Championship status, the first of which is the visit of Nottingham Forest to Hillsborough on Saturday.
Moore will not be present in person but in mind will be kicking every proverbial ball.
He added: “I am gutted, really gutted, because I want to be there, I want to be there at the heart of it, but I have to rest. In my absence, the staff have been more than efficient and will continue to be so.
“We are not looking at two games, just Saturday as we have to see these games as isolated situations. There is nothing we can do about what happens anywhere else, we have to maintain focus on Nottingham Forest and what this game entails.
“We know the parameters and the players will continue to prepare to go out there and look to deliver that elite performance required.”