Dynamic duo helping Sheffield Wednesday make push for promotion

The striking duo energised the Owls’ campaign at the business end of 2016-17 and their importance to the club’s cause has been there for all to see already in the new season.

Both found the net at the weekend, with Hooper following up with another strike in Tuesday’s hard-fought 2-1 win over Brentford – his third goal in successive Championship outings.

On a difficult night, the Owls found a way as all aspiring sides must, thanks in no small part to Hooper’s relieving and classy leveller.

Good friends away from the pitch, the pair have developed a telepathic understanding on it, with both never far away from each other on the training ground too with the familiarity reaping rewards for Wednesday.

Fletcher said: “We have a good mutual friendship.

“He (Hooper) knows how to push my buttons.

“He is fantastic; a great player and a great guy and friend. I have played with a lot of top-quality strikers and he is up there with the best I have played with.

“Everything about him, to be honest. He can hold the ball up and then there is his finishing which kills teams.

“We are good mates off the pitch, which probably helps and we do a lot of things off the pitch together.

“It helps on the pitch when you are good friends and we are always doing stuff together after training as well.

“It was a great finish from Gary (on Tuesday). Some strikers would not do that, but he has got that ability to do that.”

Hooper’s strike helped spare the blushes of Keiren Westwood, whose uncharacteristic mistake in fumbling Nico Yennaris’ early strike gifted the Bees’ the lead.

But Fletcher is confident that the vastly-experienced keeper will have quickly put the mistake to the back of his mind.

Fletcher, who has revealed that he is currently successfully managing a knee issue with the help of the club’s medical staff – which led to him being a pre-match doubt for Tuesday – added: “It was one of those things. Anyone can make a mistake in any game at any time.

“He is a top goalkeeper and it will not affect him at all. He will move onto the next game with his head clear and look onto the next game.”