According to reports in the Yorkshire Post, Sheffield Wednesday manager Carlos Carvalhal has confirmed that key defensive duo Tom Lees and Glenn Loovens will return for the club’s huge Championship clash against Reading on Friday night, but has refused to speak on two more injury doubts.

What’s the word, then?

Well, the Portuguese manager says that Lees will be available for the first time since January, while Loovens has recovered after limping off in the 2-0 defeat to Aston Villa last weekend.

It is a timely boost for Carvalhal and the duo’s return looks to have avoided a potential defensive nightmare for the Owls boss, who will also be missing Vincent Sasso after he was dismissed at Villa Park.

So, who are the mystery duo?

It’s top goalscorer Fernando Forestieri and another key man in Sam Hutchinson, so it is no wonder that he doesn’t want to give anything away before the clash at Hillsborough on Friday.

The former has scored 11 league goals for the Owls this season.

What did Carvalhal say, then?

He said: “Don’t ask me about the injured players, I will tell you absolutely nothing, sorry.

“We cannot be sure of the other players who will be involved in the game, and I don’t want to say something today and tomorrow people say you are lying to us.

How big is the game against Reading?

It is vital.

Sheffield Wednesday are currently in sixth position as they look to finish in the play-off positions, but there position has come into threat in recent weeks.

The Owls have won just one of their last five Championship fixtures – and taken just a point from their previous two – which means that seventh-placed Fulham are now just one behind them.

However, with the Royals just two points ahead of them, Carvalhal knows he can leapfrog their opponents with a win.