Sodje, a scorer in last season's 2-0 victory over the Blades at Hillsborough, has not played for the Owls since damaging knee ligaments against Burnley on the opening day of the season.

However, the striker, who also missed the last three months of last season with an ankle injury, resumed full training two weeks ago and manager Brian Laws is now weighing up the possibilty of throwing him back into the frame.

The Owls have already been boosted by the news that captain Richard Wood will be available to play after missing the club's last league game at Plymouth Argyle with a groin strain and there is still an outside possibility that defender Frank Simek, another long-term injury absentee, could return to the squad for the first time this season.

Sodje said: "It's not nice missing so many games but I've been working hard to get fit. This has been the most frustrating part of my whole career but I will put it behind me and come back a better player.

"We have a massive game against Sheffield United and I know we have a great chance," he added. "All the players are up for the game, we want three points and the pride back with Wednesday."

Although the Owls are currently 10th in the Championship table, they are only two points behind the Blades who have moved into fourth spot following three successive wins.

"We can't really complain because we are in the top 10 and we've shown a lot of character so far," admitted Sodje.

"We haven't lost two league games on the spin and I think that's important because it shows that we can bounce back.

"Everyone was doubting us before the derbies last season but we showed that we can surprise a lot of teams in this division."

Defender Wood, who scored an own goal in the last meeting between the two clubs, a 2-2 draw at Bramall Lane in April, said: "I'll definitely be playing in the derby, if selected. I'm not feeling any pain in my groin and I think the rest has done the trick.

"I haven't played against Sheffield United at Hillsborough and there was the own goal last season so I think I'm due a break," he added.

"It would be fantastic to get one at the right end, but just running out wearing the armband against United will be a special moment for me.""

Simek, meanwhile, is set to make his second comeback appearance for the reserves against Lincoln City this afternoon and the American international is keen to push a claim for a first team recall.

"I now have to prove to myself and the manager that my fitness is good enough and hopefully that day is not too far away," said Simek, who last played for the Owls 10 months ago when damaging ankle ligaments against Crystal Palace.

"I have already got 45 minutes under my belt in the reserves and I have been training with the first team so I have been doing a lot of work."

The Owls will definitely be without defender Tommy Spurr, who is sidelined for a month after rupturing ankle ligaments in the defeat at Plymouth Argyle 10 days ago, and defender Richard Hinds who suffered a broken leg against Wolves in August.

However, striker Francis Jeffers, whose time with the Owls has been plagued by injuries, is now fully fit and hoping to make his first start of the season after four appearances as a substitute.

The Blades will have captain Chris Morgan available again after a calf injury led to his absence in the last league game against Bristol City.

Although Morgan is desperate to start, manager Kevin Blackwell will have to decide whether to change a winning side or keep faith with centre-half Ugo Ehiogu.