Owls in hunt for defender

Laws looking to replace Hinds

By Chris Galea   Last updated: 19th August 2008

Laws Brian Sheff Wed v Plymouth

Laws: Looking to strengthen

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Sheffield Wednesday boss Brian Laws has told skysports.com he is looking to bring in a new defender after losing Richard Hinds to a serious injury.

Hinds suffered a broken ankle in the 4-1 defeat to Wolves on Saturday and Laws admits he will need to venture back into the transfer market.

"Financially we are still struggling in terms of revenue to bring in new players, but we will certainly be working hard to find a little bit of money to try and strengthen the team," Laws told skysports.com.

"A defender is our main target and I'm trying to find a replacement, hopefully before Saturday."

Wednesday's squad has been decimated by injuries, with Frank Simek, Akpo Sodje, Marcus Tudgay, Francis Jeffers and Wade Small also sidelined and Laws hopes there will be no further setbacks.

"Any manager would tell you that if you pick up two or three serious injuries in the first week of the season, to key players as well, it's going to affect anybody.

"We had our fair share of injuries last season, including some nasty injuries, but we are going to have to adapt to it and we've certainly picked up a few injuries already this campaign."

Laws has, however, been boosted by the news that winger Etienne Esajas should be fit for the Championship clash with Preston on Saturday.

He explained: "Etienne should be OK for the weekend. We took him off as a precaution on Saturday, because he felt it towards half-time, but I expect him to be training with us towards the end of the week and available for selection to face Preston on Saturday."