Sheffield Wednesday duo set to return for Oakwell derby

Midfielder Hutchinson, 27, has not played since the 5-1 thrashing on Norwich City four weeks ago due to a troublesome knee.

While Hooper has been sidelined since November with a hamstring and quad injuries.

But both are back in training, ahead of the Oakwell game, and will be a welcome boost for boss Carlos Carvalhal, who has suffered a horrendous injury list in 2017.

"Gary's okay,” confirmed Carvalhal. “He is one of the players who have started training,

“He started training this week and he is available to be involved, yes."

Carvalhal refused to give updates on several of his injured players - like Fernando Forestieri and Ross Wallace - although he did confirm influential midfielder Kieran Lee was set to return before the end of the season.

"Let's see," Carvalhal said. "We have training today, we have some players even today we are not sure if they can be involved or not.

“After training we will take a decision. The panorama now is better than the week of Reading.

“That week some players who were playing felt some problems. "Tom Lees is playing more, other players are training more and are more ready for the game but it is not a problem.

“We will have 11 players, we will be ready for the derby."