Sheffield Wednesday manager Garry Monk on the task facing his side at table-topping West Brom

Wednesday limped into the international break having dropped points late on in games against Blackburn and Swansea, but according to the Owls boss have turned a corner heading into their battle with the Championship leaders.

Slaven Bilic’s men will provide his side with one of their toughest tests to date and Wednesday will have to draw on everything they have worked on during what he described as a successful international break together.

And the games come thick and fast. His old club Birmingham arrive at Hillsborough midweek before the Owls head to Charlton.

Monk said: “Judging by the two weeks we have just had together, how hard we have been working, we want to show that in this period, it will be a good test for us.

“It will test every part of our physicality, mentality, how far we have come improvement-wise. It’s not just about Saturday, it’s about the next two or three months.”

First come West Brom though, who have lost only one league game this season and are two points clear of Preston and Leeds at the top of the table.

Monk said: “There’s no denying they are the best team in the league so far. They have huge quality in their squad, their threats are huge, with an array of talent.

“Their manager has come in and done a fantastic job, had a really good start with them.

“Any away game is difficult, they are top of the league, but we look forward to it.”

Questions have been asked of the Owls’ mentality given their late disappointments, but Monk reassured supporters there is nothing to fear on that front and that they will see what his side are made of in a busy next few weeks.

“We don’t fear anyone,” he said, “we know we are good enough to beat anyone, but we know everything has to fall in place to achieve that. That’s what we are fighting for.

“I think it’s a great period, that’s the attitude of the players. We can’t wait to get into this period, it’s going to be tough, and there will be a big demand on all of us.

“The mentality of the whole club - the fans, and us - we stick together and come out fighting hard in this period.”