Sheffield Wednesday fans could have been forgiven for fearing the worst when Chris Kirkland was substituted in the first half of Wednesday evenings friendly fixture against Rangers at Hillsborough.
The Owls stopper was a stand out performer in the Championship last season in what was his first year at S6.
Kirkland has been blighted by injury problems in the past but was an ever present in the league in 2012/13. However, with Wednesday having let two experienced goalkeepers – Stephen Bywater and Nicky Weaver – leave this summer it would be sods law to see the Owls number one pick up an injury now with the start of the new season close on the horizon.
Post match interviews have clarified that the former Liverpool goalkeeper had been feeling unwell prior to the match and the substitution was as a result of this illness rather than any injury.
As it turned out the change provided Kirkland's understudy Adam Davies a great opportunity to gain some experience in front of a decent sized crowd that will no doubt aid his progress.