Norwich City 0 Sheffield Wednesday 0: Owls determined to keep hold of unsettled star Forestieri

PLENTY TO PONDER: Owls coach Carlos Carvalhal, pictured with Ross Wallace, has to deal with the situation regarding star man, Fernando Forestieri. Picture: Steve Ellis

The 26-year-old Italian frontman was nowhere to be seen as the Owls gave as good as they got against one of the favourites for promotion to come away with a well-deserved point.

Carvalhal revealed that Forestieri had told him he was not available, but made it clear that he would not be sold, with both Derby and Newcastle having been linked with a £12m move for the wantaway star, who scored the winner in a 1-0 victory over Aston Villa on the opening day.

He had to be persuaded to play in that game after the Owls had rejected a £6m-plus bid from Derby, who remain determined to land the former Italy Under-21 player.

“He came up to me before that game and said he wanted a chat,” said Carvalhal. “He told me he didn’t want to play against Villa but we talked it through and he had a change of mind and ended up scoring our winner.

“We then trained with Fernando as usual, preparing for the Norwich game, and then he spoke to me again and said he didn’t want play. This time he didn’t change his mind and we had to do without him.

“It is obviously very disappointing and now we will open up the usual process when something like this happens.

“But it is not a problem for me because Fernando is under contract at this club and the chairman has said he will not be selling anyone.

“He is our player and will not be sold and if this happens again it will be the same situation.

“As I said, it is not a problem because I have plenty of players who want to play and we will now turn our attention to the next game.”

Carvalhal was delighted with his side’s performance at Carrow Road – and the result they came away with.

“We have played two very strong sides in our first two games and come away with four points and two clean sheets which is very pleasing. In the second half we had chances to win the game but I am not disappointed – a draw here is a very good result for us.”

Norwich City: Ruddy (McGovern 46), Ivo Pinto, Bennett, Klose, Olsson (Josh Murphy 34), Howson, Tettey, Hoolahan, Naismith, Brady, Jerome (Mulumbu 73). Unused substitutes: Canos, Martin, Bassong, Morris.

Sheffield Wednesday: Westwood, Hunt, Lees, Hutchinson, Pudil, Wallace (Buckley 81), Lee, Bannan, Abdi, Hooper (Fletcher 72), Lucas Joao (Nuhiu 85). Unused substitutes: Wildsmith, Palmer, Semedo, Vermijl.

Referee: A Woolmer (Northants).

Man of the match: Tom Lees.