Osbourne may finally get chance with Owls

The midfielder joined the Owls on loan from Aston Villa nearly two weeks ago but has yet to play and has trained only twice.

According to Megson, Osbourne has been ‘ill’ and his wife has also given birth in the last few days.

“He has not got started with us yet,” said Megson. “And it might be a big ask to throw him in straight away this weekend. But he has got Premier League qualities and needs to use this move to get his career back on track.”

Winger Jermaine Johnson has been ruled out of tomorrow’s trip to Spotland after spending three days in hospital this week following a health scare.

Megson refused to discuss the nature of the illness but said the player was still ‘having tests’ and was not at the club’s Middlewood Road training ground.

Despite the acquisition of five new players by former manager Alan Irvine last month, Megson has been given the go ahead to strengthen further in the loan market by the club’s new chairman Milan Mandaric.

Megson has also stressed that he will only select recent signings on merit and not because it is ‘politically correct’ to do so.

Former York City and Scarborough manager Neil Thompson, meanwhile, has been installed as the club’s new first-team coach.

Thompson, 47, was working as Leeds United’s Academy and reserve team manager until three months ago and joins newly-appointed assistant manager Chris Evans and goalkeeping coach Andy Rhodes on the Hillsborough backroom staff.

The Owls’ home game with Brentford has been re-arranged for Tuesday March 29 due to the club’s on-going involvement in the FA Cup.