Sheffield Wednesday received two injury boosts ahead of Sunderland

Sheffield Wednesday received a major injury boost regarding two key players ahead of this weekend's trip to Sunderland, according to reliable reporter Joe Crann.

Sheffield Wednesday face a big clash with Sunderland

The Owls have enjoyed a remarkable recovery under Danny Rohl since the young German's arrival as manager, having looked out of sorts in the Championship earlier in the campaign, struggling under former boss Xisco Munoz.

Instead, the fate is now in their hands in the relegation battle, having battled their way out of the relegation zone through strong team and individual performances, helped in part by last weekend's excellent 3-0 home win over chasing West Brom.

On Saturday, Wednesday's season comes to a close with a trip to Sunderland, knowing that the draw will be good enough to ensure they are definitely in the Championship for another season. Defeats for Rohl's side could still be enough, too, depending on how Birmingham City and Plymouth Argyle fare, especially the former.

They are home to Norwich City and Hull City respectively, nothing will be an easy assignment, so it is expected that the owls will finish the day still in the second division of English football. There will be key players in the entire field for the visitors on Saturday lunchtime and a good injury update has emerged on two key figures.

Sheffield Wednesday have been given a major injury boost

Taking it to X On Thursday, Crann said Michael Ihiekwe and Ian Poveda could return to contention for Wednesday's trip to Sunderland, having returned to training: “Michael Ihiekwe and Ian Poveda could both be back for the trip to Sunderland after training this week – Danny Rohl says almost everyone is available now.”

This is a huge shot in the arm for Wednesday ahead of their most important game of the season, with both Ihiekwe and Poveda being their key players at different times during the campaign.

Ihiekwe is arguably one of the Owls' most influential defenders, featuring in 25 Championship games this season and averaging 2.9 aerial duel wins per game. Whether he's considered fit enough to start remains to be seen, but having him as an option is a huge improvement.

Poveda, meanwhile, joined Leeds United on loan in January and added more attacking threat, although he only made one assist in 10 appearances. Rohl admitted that he liked what he saw from the off now winger, saying: “He was passionate about coming here, for other players it was not an easy decision.

“Getting to the bottom of the league, it's different than playing for Leeds and going for promotion. But he quickly convinced himself of this, and it gave me a really good feeling.”

There is no reason for Rohl to make changes to a team that won so badly against West Brom last night, but if Ihiekwe and Poveda are in contention, all it does is give the manager an even greater wealth of options at the Stadium. The light.