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This weekend’s Yorkshire derby has added importance as it is pretty much a top of the table clash.

Garry Monk’s side won ugly on Tuesday night as they managed to see through a 1-0 victory over Stoke City at Hillsborough while their county rivals succumbed to a draw across the border to Preston North End.

There is potentially added significance to this tie for one member of the Owls squad as Massimo Luongo was frequently linked with a move to their opponents, Leeds, during the summer. That was before eventually signing for Wednesday.

Despite picking up a knock in midweek, the one-time Ballon d’Or nominee should be fit enough to feature after Monk provided an update to BBC Radio Sheffield.

United showed some interest in Luongo in the off-season, as reported by London Football News back in June, but the same outlet stated that Marcelo Bielsa had played down any links just a month later.

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Now the 27-year-old is starting to hit red hot form after being given an opportunity under the new Owls chief – he’s started their last three games having only featured for a total of 118 minutes from five substitute appearances, per Transfermarkt.

During his recent run, he has certainly taken steps to repay the faith put in him by scoring two goals, both of which being the winners in 1-0 victories.

Rated at £4.5m by Transfermarkt, Luongo could keep up his rich vein of form going into Saturday’s game against the club he could have joined.

If he does indeed do so, he’ll make Bielsa look like a fool for not pursuing his interest over the summer, especially as half of his current central midfield options – namely Adam Forshaw and Jamie Shackleton – are out injured, forcing Stuart Dallas out of position to fill their void.