Birmingham City v Sheffield Wednesday: Late starter Glenn Loovens keen to make up for lost time with Owls

The Dutch centre-half has been sidelined after summer surgery on a persistent ankle injury.

Now the 32-year-old could return in place of the suspended Sam Hutchinson as the Owls look to make it three Championship wins in a week this tea-time in front of the Sky cameras at Birmingham City

“Injuries never come at the right time,” said Loovens. “It is very important, especially as you get a bit older, to have a good pre-season.

“But this was something I needed to fix, and I am glad it’s behind me. I feel really good, I have trained now three-and-a-half weeks, had two-and-a-half games, so I feel ready.

“You want to be part of it, but I played with an injury all last season, and didn’t want to have another season like that.

“Sometimes you have to take care of yourself, and put yourself first, that’s what I did.”

The Owls capped an amazing comeback against Bristol City on Tuesday, battling to win from 2-0 down, with midfielder Kieran Lee snatching a late winner.

Lee, the 28-year-old signed from Oldham Athletic primarily as a right-back in 2012, is often over-shadowed by some of the bigger names at Hillsborough.

But Loovens believes he is a “dark horse” in the Championship’s crop of best midfielders.

“I think he has been unbelievable since the first time I stepped into this club,” said the Owls captain.

“For me he is a dark horse. I watched him the other day and saw him helping the left-wing out, tracking the ball back to the goalkeeper. Ten seconds later he is helping out the right-back.

“He is that type of guy who never stops running. Everywhere you feel like you need him, he is there and pops up.

“Both defensively and going forward, he is a really good player.

“Sometimes I feel he is (under-rated), credit always gets given to other players, you never really hear his name.”