Owls target Sodje lands one-match ban

Brian Laws wanted to bring in the defender to play against Bristol City at Hillsborough on Saturday as the Owls seek their first league win of the season.

But in possibly his last game for the Royals, the centre half was sent off for two bookings in last night's 1-0 win against Swansea and will be ruled out on Saturday by a one-match ban. Laws said: "It's just our luck. But it doesn't make any difference to the proposed transfer. We're talking about a season, not just one game."

Wednesday are on the verge of signing the 350,000-rated defender on a long-term loan, with the fee agreed on a full transfer to follow that.

Sam's striker brother, Akpo, has been given permission by Port Vale to talk to the Owls as their attempt at a double Sodje deal takes a step closer: "Hopefully we shall conclude something very quickly," said Laws.

The Owls boss also warned that incoming deals - with a mystery Hungarian left-winger another target - would lead to certain players being off-loaded to balance the books.

"We're looking to bring in a left-sider to support what we've got. Burton O'Brien was excellent against Hartlepool, and we've got Wade Small coming back. It will create a more strength in depth.

"If we do bring players in, we do have to make openings. The only way we can do that is by letting one or two players out on loan or permanently. That's something we are discussing, and we'll see what happens before the window shuts."

Laws praised his players for their form and work-rate in last night's 2-1 win over Hartlepool.

"We take a lot of positives out of it. We want another opportunity to turn our season around.

"The players have given me a bit more belief that they can do it. Hopefully we'll be kicking off our season on Saturday. They also have to believe in themselves."

Marcus Tudgay went off early in extra time with what had looked like a hamstring strain but Laws said that the striker had suffered only cramp