Folly ready for kick off - exclusive

The French midfielder was making his first appearance back at Hillsborough since signing a one-year deal to make the permanent move from Southampton following a loan spell last season.

Goals from Malcolm Christie and Yakubu were too much for Wednesday although the home side were unlucky as Chris Brunt hit the woodwork with two rasping free kicks and scored from the spot.

But Folly, who was taken off with a calf strain, knows that the team did well against the UEFA Cup finalists and that the whole pre-season experience has been a good one so far.

He told Footymad: “I thought we did quite well bouncing back after the defeat from the other day. We got back to the way we have played before so it was quite good. The trip to America was something different for the players and we got the opportunity to play against teams who we never come up against.

“We then returned to England and we had a difficult time at Mansfield but we did well against a good opposition in Middlesbrough and did well. I have to see the physio this week about my injury but I think I will be fine for Saturday.”

Folly is happy about moving north and turned down a contract extension at St Mary's to do so and is looking forward to the club progressing on from last season.

He added: “I was really happy when I got to sign a deal here. I had a great time while I was on loan last season and at the back of my mind I was always looking forward to hoping to come back to Sheffield.

“Our expectation this season is to maintain our position in the championship a lot sooner than what we did last season – if we can manage to do that quickly then we have every possibility of finishing in a higher position.”