Blackburn Rovers v Sheffield Wednesday - Peter White's big match preview

BRIAN Kidd already seems to have established his preference for buying British in the shape of his first four forays into the transfer market.

And you might expect Sheffield Wednesday boss Danny Wilson, another with feet firmly on the ground, hard-nosed Northern lad to be of similar mind.

Wrong!

For Wilson, who has so far managed to keep Wednesday's head above the relegation waters, has pinned much of his faith in foreign flair.

At Ewood tomorrow, when Blackburn Rovers have a golden opportunity to peg back the Owls, their manager will look to two successful Premiership imports for inspiration.

And he has no reason to feel Dutchman Wim Jonk and Italian Benito Carbone will let him down. Jonk cost Wilson his biggest-ever transfer fee, £2.5 million from PSV last summer. Carbone, a player now fulfilling all his exciting potential, was inherited from a previous management. But both have responded equally to Wilson's stewardship.

Jonk, all art and craft, commands midfield for Wednesday and respect from opponents.

"I am delighted with what he has done for us," said Wilson. "Not only is he getting to grips with his own game after having to adjust to English football but our players are also making more of his strengths.

"He is an attacking midfield man, he's not someone who just wants to sit on the halfway line and spray the ball around.

"He makes some fine runs and, although we haven't always got the ball to him at the right times, when we do that regularly he will get 10 goals a season for us and that's the bonus we were looking for when we bought him." Wilson also rates the seasoned campaigner's all-round contribution.

"He's a fantastic professional, a terrific lad to work with during the week and a role model for the young lads.

"Wim has done just about everything in the game but he is highly committed to the club and is as dedicated as ever."

After two great months when he has shown no negative reaction to the loss of fellow-Italian Paulo di Canio, Carbone also earns the highest praise from his manager.

Wilson said: "He is a magnificent player and, on his day, a handful for any team in the Premiership. He has great talent but he has also been working hard for the team and has shown great professionalism.

"He must be one of the most exciting players in the Premiership at the moment.

"Perhaps we do look to him too much, maybe we can give him more help.

"But everybody knows we are looking for another striker and we are continuing with that."

In the meantime, the Owls boss is happy to place his faith in what he believes are two of the Premiership's finest.

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