Sheffield Wednesday's Championship survival battle has suffered a massive blow as top scorer Akpo Sodje is out for the rest of the season.Sodje, who has netted seven league goals for Wednesday this season, has been told he requires surgery on his injured ankle.

The 28-year-old had been in fine form for the Owls in recent weeks and his loss has rocked manager Brian Laws, who confirmed he will look to draft in a replacement on loan.

Laws said: "Akpo is going in for an operation on his ankle and it's a big, big blow for myself and the team, but first we must concentrate on getting his ankle better for the long term.

"He has been an inspiration for us this season, some of his performances have been outstanding and his enthusiasm second to none. He will be a big miss."

Laws added: "Because Sodje has been ruled out for the season, I now need to bring in another striker."

Sodje, who arrived at Hillsborough from Port Vale in the summer, suffered a recurrence of an on-going problem at Wolves on January 29.

Wednesday are currently second from bottom in the Championship table and face a vital six-pointer at home to Coventry on Tuesday night.

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