Heffernan desperate to prove his point to Irvine

The Owls have suffered four defeats in a row ahead of tonight's home game against Oldham Athletic and manager Alan Irvine is under mounting pressure to stop the rot.

Striker Heffernan, who played on loan for Oldham last season, has yet to start a league game since his arrival at Hillsborough this summer from Doncaster Rovers.

The Dubliner is adamant that his goals could make a difference and be a catalyst for the club to climb back up the League One table.

Speaking to the Yorkshire Post, Heffernan said: "As a player, there is nothing worse than training all week and not playing on a Saturday. It's very frustrating, especially as the team has lost a few games now.

"I have got every faith in my ability to score goals at this level and I'm dying for the chance. I just want to get out there so I can help the team and the squad."

Heffernan was one of three strikers signed by Irvine this summer but the 28-year-old has been sidelined with either Clinton Morrison or Neil Mellor starting in attack alongside Marcus Tudgay.

"I definitely think I could make a difference," he insisted. "I have done it before at this level and I think I have still got a big part to play this season.

"I have not been to see the manager but I am not the type who likes to knock on his door every time I am not in the team.

"When you join a new club, you are not going to get guarantees that you will play every week. I am willing to fight for my place and that's what I have been doing. I have just got to be patient and hope I get the chance soon."

During his five-year spell at Doncaster, Heffernan scored 53 goals in 109 starts and finished four out of five seasons as the club's leading marksman.

The Owls desperately need a victory tonight to help restore some harmony at Hillsborough.

On Saturday, chairman Howard Wilkinson addressed around 100 angry supporters outside the ground as they protested against the board following the 1-0 home defeat by Southampton.

Wilkinson warned that the Owls would go into receivership 'next week' if both he and chief executive Nick Parker opted to walk away.

However, he also hinted that new investment was 'close' – a likely reference to the on-going talks involving former manager Chris Turner and a consortium who have links to the oil industry.

Against that backdrop of uncertainty, Irvine is acutely aware of the need to improve results and that could spark team changes tonight.

"The importance of getting it right is not lost on any of us," said Irvine. "It's a difficult time for everyone but the best way of getting out of a difficult time is going back to basics.

"When times are tough, you need big, big characters and that is what we need now.

"I think we have the characters to cope. There are a lot of experienced players in our dressing room who have been through times in the past when things have not gone right. They have to dig deep now – both mentally and emotionally."

On his own pressures, Irvine said: "It is very tough for me and anyone who thinks any differently is wide of the mark. When you lose a game as a manager, it affects you very badly. You cannot switch off. Your mind is on the job from first thing in the morning to last thing at night.

"This is a pressurised job – I felt pressure to win games when we were winning and I feel pressure when we are losing."

Irvine was appointed Owls manager eight months ago – less than two weeks after he had been sacked by Preston.

He was unable to prevent the club's relegation to League One and was immediately set the target of securing an instant return to the Championship

"It's certainly been every bit as tough as I expected," he reflected. "I knew I wouldn't get an easy job. That's the challenge and it's important to take it on and rise to it.

"It's where you are after 46 games that matters," he added. "You have good spells and bad spells and, hopefully, we will be having a good spell again soon."

Owls captain Darren Purse returns to the centre of defence tonight after recovering from a head injury which led to his halftime substitution against Southampton.

Winger Jermaine Johnson, who has been sidelined since the summer with a knee problem, is due to return to full training this week.

Opponents Oldham, two points higher in the table, aim to bounce back from defeat at Brighton and manager Paul Dickov said: "I am not going to be sucked into Wednesday's four defeats – every one of their players has played in the Championship or higher and we know it is going to be a big test."

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Last six games: Sheffield Wednesday WWLLLL, Oldham DLDLWL.

Last time: Sheffield Wednesday 1 Oldham 1; August 30, 2004; League One.

Referee: D Webb (County Durham).