Former Blues striker, and current Owls top scorer, Gary Madine spoke to the Yorkshire Post ahead of his side's League One match against Carlisle at Brunton Park this evening, Madine saying he is working hard on his off the pitch personality :
“The gaffer (Gary Megson) and I didn’t see eye-to-eye when he first came in but now we are on good terms. I have worked hard, and I think he realises that I am an honest person. I am maybe not the best professional off the pitch but I am working on that too. At Carlisle, maybe I was out too much, I got into too much trouble, and I was out with the wrong crowds. I feel like I am growing up and now, if I go out, I go out with the lads, the older professionals, and they keep my head down if I’m getting a bit lairy.
“I just want to get Sheffield Wednesday promoted, I have never scored so many goals so quickly and I am loving life, loving the area, and everything to do with the club. Long may that continue. I just have to take things one step at a time. If I keep scoring goals, hopefully it will get Sheffield Wednesday out of this league and that makes me a Championship player. If we do the same again next season, who knows?
“I am settled now and I just feel happier in myself, the gaffer has shown a lot of confidence in me and I am taking that onto the pitch. Sometimes, as a striker, you go into the penalty box thinking ‘I don’t know whether I am going to score’ but right now I am thinking I will put any chance I get into the back of the net. I am really buzzing about this game, it’s the club where I grew up, a club I still love, and where I know a lot of people. The reaction I got from the fans last season was great. I am happy to go back again but I won’t be celebrating if I score.”
In team news for the visitors evening they will be missing one player via suspension and a further four through injury. The suspendee absenteee being left-back Reda Johnson who serves a one-match ban tonight after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season in Wednesday's 2-0 home win over Colchester on Saturday.
As far as injuries are concerned veteran goalkeeper Nicky Weaver is sidelined with a knee injury, while right-back Jon Otsemobor is missing with a calf problem. Meanwhile left-winger Daniel Jones is absent due to an ankle injury and central midfielder David Prutton is out with a thigh problem. Finally comes striker Clinton Morrison who has just returned from a loan spell at MK Dons yesterday, and so he will not be part of the Owls matchday squad this evening.
The referee for this evening's match is Paul Tierney from Wigan and he will be assisted down the lines by Joe Hull from Stockport and Ross Joyce from Middlesbrough. Meanwhile the fourth official is Simon Clayton from Newton Aycliffe in County Durham.