Johnson is back with the Owls after international duty

Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Jermaine Johnson faces a race against time to be fit for the start of the season.

The 29-year-old has just returned from Jamaica international duty but is not as fit as the rest of the squad, boss Brian Laws told BBC Radio Sheffield.

"They've been playing games but his fitness levels compared to everyone else are comparatively low so we've got to up the tempo with him," Laws said.

"We'll address that and get him ready for the Barnsley game."

The Wednesday boss is not surprised that Johnson's fitness has dropped despite playing matches for his country.

"As I feared they're a very laid-back nation who don't really excel themselves as they should do," he said.

"Looking at his stats he's had more than a week off mentally and physically while he was out there."

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