Norwich City v Sheffield Wednesday: Henrik Pedersen says players will be doing utmost to stay

Relegation was made official at Sheffield United on Sunday, and that can sometimes lift a weight off players but given everything they have been through in a traumatic season, manager Pedersen is not expecting that at Norwich City on Wednesday.

What he is anticipating is players giving their all because their attachment to the club means they are keen to survive the overhaul relegation and new owners will bring.

There is also the motivation not to be the first English league team relegated with a minus points tally. The Owls need seven points from 13 matches to do that, having won 11 from their first 33 but had 18 docked.

"It has been a tough, tough season," acknowledged Pedersen, who has had to bear more than most.

"What we can control is to get the best possible out of the situation where we are. How the employees generally in our club are working in this situation is amazing and how we are all stay together is amazing.

"We have 10 weeks to go and we have to get the best out of this.

"And we want to come on plus (points). This is a big goal.

"We have a lot of players feeling they belong to Sheffield Wednesday. There are a lot who will be proud if they can be a part of Sheffield Wednesday after the summer.

"I'm sure – very sure – we have a big group of players who will do everything they can for the rest of the season to give our fans as many good experiences as possible. They deserve it."

Everyone in the squad either joined since the financial meltdown which put the club into administration, or had the chance to leave in the summer when their wages went unpaid. That patience is not infinite, as seen by Barry Bannan’s departure.

James Bord's proposed takeover is still being vetted two months after he was identified as the preferred bidder, limiting what Pedersen could do to bolster numbers in the transfer window.

Injuries continue to bite, with three, perhaps four, players added to the list in the last few days, plus a suspension.

"On Saturday we lost Marv (Nakamba), he got an elbow in his face. The day before we lost Olaf (Kubacki) for four or five weeks,” said Pedersen.

"Maybe we have lost Coops (Liam Cooper) for a long time. He said it wasn't good on Sunday (when he came off injured).

"Gab (Otegbayo) is out with a red card. There will not be so many left.

Tayo Adaramola will be assessed, but it was thought he had cramp.

Ike Ugbo was the only Owls substitute aged over 20 on Sunday, when a 2-1 defeat confirmed relegation.

"I don't think that has been a limitation but let's see," said Pedersen.

"The culture has been very strong.

"Against Millwall we ran 4,100 sprint metres, the best in the last three seasons for all teams in the Championship. It's telling me I have a group of players who has a big belief, a big trust, a big togetherness, and a big hunger to do something. I'm sure they will keep this.

"If it can help that there's no more pressure in this direction, it will only be good."