Danny Rohl granted Sunderland 'wish' as Sheffield Wednesday prepare for decider

SHEFFIELD Wednesday boss Danny Rohl has challenged his players to finish the job at Sunderland with the Owls on the brink of a remarkable escape act.

Wednesday were in the Championship's bottom three from August to the end of April but are now just a point from safety after a hugely impressive unbeaten run.

Rohl - who is of interest to Sunderland as they look to appoint a permanent head coach this summer - has done an outstanding job at Hillsborough since taking charge in October.

But he has warned his players the job is not done yet.

Wednesday will be safe if Birmingham or Plymouth fail to win on the final day but they can guarantee their own survival with a draw at the Stadium of Light.

Rohl always wanted Wednesday's fate to be in their own hands on the final day at Sunderland - and his wish has been granted after his side's impressive recent charge, which included successive wins against Blackburn and West Brom.

“I’ve always said that my wish was to go to Sunderland and still have a chance to stay in the league - now we’re in that position, and we have a big chance, a big opportunity," the 35-year-old told the Sheffield Star.

"It’s not enough, though, to just have a chance - we have to take it. I think the last weeks were very great, we were a bit disappointed after Stoke, but if you look how many points we’ve taken in the last five games it’s outstanding. Now we just need the final point, we can do it.”

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When Sunderland won 3-0 at Sheffield Wednesday back in September, Tony Mowbray's side were fourth in the Championship. Sheffield Wednesday, on the other hand, were bottom, winless and 14 points behind the Black Cats after just nine games.

If Wednesday were to win on Wearside on Saturday, they'll finish just three points behind Sunderland.

The Black Cats, who are currently 15th in the Championship standings, can finish no higher than 13th and no lower than 16th.