Neil Thompson's message to Sheffield Wednesday's Matt Penney

Penney, a player who Thompson knows well from his time with the academy, has started the club's last three Championship matches after being used sparingly in the first half of the season.

Thompson has noticed an upturn in performances from Penney in the last two matches against Preston and Bournemouth, but he has stressed that he is striving for more from the Chesterfield-born player.

Thompson, whose side are seeking to round off a rewarding week with a positive result at Millwall on Saturday, said: "Matt has improved.

"He was okay at Coventry, but I think his last two performances have been really good. I have known Matt a long time and he's a player that has got talent, but you need to keep him on his toes.

"I know him inside out and he knows how I work. I think the last two performances have shown what he's capable of, but he has got to strive for better. He has got to be as good as he can be.

"He has not played a lot of football and he has put in three performances in a week, which is a big ask. He will be in the squad for the weekend. He is a fit lad and looks after himself. He does the right things and he has got to keep his foot on the gas."

Meanwhile, Thompson has stressed that all of his squad players will have a part to play in the club's run to the end of the season.

Jordan Rhodes made a decisive impact from the bench in the midweek win at Bournemouth and the likes of Elias Kachunga have also come in from the cold, with Thompson also believing that Izzy Brown will have a role to play in future weeks along with others.

He said: "Everyone has to jump on board with what we are trying to do. We need everyone together.

"It is difficult for ones who have not been playing or find themselves on the bench but they have got to stick with it.

"You’ve seen with Kacha in the last few weeks that he was not involved in the Coventry game and then he gets a start. I have put him in and he has done very well so the opportunities are there.

"People have got to not get frustrated. I know it is difficult but it’s life as a footballer. We can only play with 11 to start with and you have got to be ready.

"I think one of the biggest things I recognised from the other night is the subs who came on did a terrific job. The ones that were behind me in the stands were cheering the others on and that was brilliant to see. That team spirit and togetherness is absolutely key moving forward."