Beevers's speedy healing is perfect for Owls

His return will be a timely boost for the Owls who are short on defenders and operating under a Football League transfer embargo.

Beevers, 20, damaged ankle ligaments in a Johnstone's Paint Trophy game against Chesterfield and his loss was swiftly followed by the arrival of Nigerian international defender Sam Sodje on trial at Hillsborough.

But Sodje has been unable to sign for the Owls because of a delay in the proposed 15m investment deal involving former manager Chris Turner and investors with links to the oil industry.

The initial 2m down-payment had still not been transferred to the club's bank last night – two weeks behind schedule – and the Owls need that money to settle a 1m debt to the taxman and help lift the embargo.

With defender Jon Otsemobor banned for three games after collecting a red card at Yeovil and captain Darren Purse on four yellow cards, Beevers's return is welcome news for manager Alan Irvine ahead of tomorrow's game against Bournemouth.

"It's a major boost to have him back, without any doubt, because the suspension was going to cause us a real problem," he said.

"Some lads are tougher than others and some lads heal quicker than others.

"From the information we got from the scan, it looked like Mark would be sidelined for six to eight weeks.

"He made really amazing improvements and then had a bit of a relapse. But full marks to the lad; he's a tough boy, and has been flying again this week."

Beevers's return at centre-back will allow Lewis Buxton to switch position and fill the gap vacated by Otsemobor at right-back.

Sodje's future with the Owls, meanwhile, is unclear with Irvine admitting he may choose to move on.

"Both Sam and his agent knew, from the start, that there was a transfer embargo in force and there was no guarantee that the embargo would be lifted any time soon," said Irvine.

"They also know that if something else crops up for Sam in the meantime he is within his rights to go and we wouldn't say anything about it.

"I would hope that the transfer embargo will be lifted pretty soon so that I can do something with regard to strengthening defensively.

"That's the one area where we are vulnerable but having the embargo lifted does not necessarily mean that someone will be coming in."

Irvine now has a fully-fit squad at his disposal for the first time this season – which means some senior players may not even make the substitutes' bench against Bournemouth tomorrow.

"We will have one or two players sitting in the stand and, when you consider the size of our squad, that is something that probably won't happen very often this season," he reflected.

"It will be something that will need to be managed, too. There will probably be a couple of knocks on my office door come Monday but that's part of the job. I want that type of problem, I want everyone available and wanting to play."

Midfielder Giles Coke is back in contention after shaking off the hamstring injury that has led to his absence from the last two games. Winger Jermaine Johnson returned to action two games ago after his knee problem.

Tomorrow's game pits third against fourth in League One with the Owls looking to extend a four-game winning run and leapfrog Bournemouth in the table.

"It's an important game," admitted Irvine. "Although it's still early in the season and not as crucial as it might be with five or six games to go. We have managed to turn things around recently but we are not getting carried away. There is a fine balance between confidence and over confidence. And we must not get over confident."