Sheffield Wednesday boss Brian Laws has praised striker Leon Clarke after he returned to pre-season training in "great nick".

The 22-year-old - who is still recovering from a cartilege operation - appeared in the Owls' last two victories of the season against Leicester and Norwich.

Clarke, a £250,000 signing from Wolves in August 2007 - looks set to start the season down the pecking order at Hillsborough behind the likes of Akpo Sodje, Marcus Tudgay, Deon Burton and Francis Jeffers - but Laws is pleased with the youngster's continued determination.

Laws told the Sheffield Star: "Leon feels better than he has done for years, and we are really pleased with him.

"He's worked during the summer - and lost some weight - and he looks in great nick."