Coke adds some fizz to Irvine's Wednesday evolution

Thrown on the scrapheap as a teenager, his 'road to recovery' has wound its way through both non-league football and the Scottish Premier League.

Over the last few days, Coke has finally moved into a new home in Sheffield and his arrival is a bright spot in an otherwise dark chapter in the club's history.

His performances in the heart of midfield have secured the League One Player of the Month award and his goals have lifted the team to the top of the table.

Early season success, however, has been buried beneath an avalanche of headlines surrounding problems off the field.

Without a 780,000 loan from the Co-operative Bank, the Owls would almost certainly have gone into administration this week.

Without major new investment, the battle for financial survival will continue.

Coke, a free transfer signing from Motherwell, is exactly the sort of value for money player the club needs right now to progress.

Manager Alan Irvine monitored his progress following a series of eye-catching performances for Northampton Town two seasons ago.

Released by QPR, Coke had resurrected his career with non-league Kingstonian and spent two years at Mansfield Town before joining the Cobblers.

He was then tempted north of the border by former Stockport County manager Jim Gannon who was in charge of Motherwell.

"Moving to Scotland was a great opportunity for me," he recalls. "I didn't really know anything about Scottish football but I hoped it could be a stepping stone to one of the big clubs such as Rangers or Celtic.

"The standard in the SPL was mixed; there were some teams who would do well in the Championship but others who would be in the bottom half of League One."

Just a few years previously, Coke had been shown the door by Queens Park Rangers – and his career in professional football hung by a thread.

A decision to link up with his brother Jon at Isthmian Premier League outfit Kingstonian put things right.

"It was a real body blow when I was released by QPR because I always thought I was going to get a deal. That shock hurt me and kick-started my career," he admits.

"It made me realise that I needed to work harder if I was going to make it full-time. There was never anything wrong with my attitude but, looking back, maybe I didn't work hard enough.

"Over the last couple of years, I think I have matured into a better player and I have also been coached well. I went to Kingstonian to become a better player and the manager Scott Steele showed real faith in me by giving me the captaincy at 18. That definitely boosted my confidence."

During his time at Northampton, Coke improved again under the guidance of former Barnsley midfielder Stuart Gray.

Now the Owls look set to reap the rewards with Coke, still only 24, fully committed to a three-year deal.

The Londoner, however, is hoping that nothing gets in the way of the push for promotion. For while the Owls have enjoyed a highly impressive past, they now face a worryingly uncertain future. To some extent, it his own situation in reverse.

"I am really happy with the way things have started. I heard something on the news about this winding-up thing but I didn't really worry about it," he admits. "This is such a big football club that you have to think someone will come in soon."

Coke believes the team are undistracted by off-the-field events in the build-up to today's game with unbeaten second-placed side Carlisle United but says they will need to improve on last weekend's first league defeat at Brentford,

"We suffered a little blip there and we didn't really play well as a team," he says. "It's important that we get the right reaction now against Carlisle.

"We need more ups than downs if we are to get promotion but this squad is certainly good enough – we just have to work hard. Another three points on Saturday will keep us top of the table and that is where we want to be."

With his wife Hannah expecting the couple's second child in November – a sibling for three-and-a-half year old daughter Nevea – there will soon be off-the-field events of a different nature for Coke to worry about.

But after two months living apart, seeking a new home in Sheffield, Coke can at least relax in the knowledge that his family is reunited again.

"It's been a very stressful time because my missus, who is pregnant, and my daughter have been down in London," he said. "For the last two months, I have been living in a hotel or sharing a flat with (team-mate) Daniel Jones. It's been a bit of nightmare.

"But we always intended moving to Sheffield because I have signed a three-year deal and want to be here for a long time. It's just been so difficult to find a place to rent."

All being well, Coke's new house is now in order (removal boxes empty, cupboards and drawers full). The Owls just have to follow suit.

Sheffield Weds v Carlisle Utd

Team news: Owls manager Alan Irvine is expected to make changes following last weekend's defeat at Brentford. His only absentee is injured winger Jermaine Johnson (knee).

Former Owls defender Frank Simek returns to Hillsborough for the first time since being released this summer and joining Carlisle.

Last six games: Wednesday DWLWWL, Carlisle WLDWDD.

Last time: Wednesday 2 Carlisle 0; September 3, 1983; Second Division.

Referee: CD Sarginson (Staffordshire).

SkyBet odds: Wednesday to win 8-11, Carlisle to win 4-1 Draw 5-2.