Twice a winner of promotion to the Premier League since leaving Huddersfield Town, Gary Taylor-Fletcher is currently focused on helping Sheffield Wednesday rekindle their campaign.
The 33-year-old returns to the John Smith’s Stadium on Saturday, six months after scoring there to help Leicester City clinch the 2-0 win over Town which cemented the Championship title.
The frontman played in the Foxes’ Premier League clash at Chelsea in August, but was last month loaned to Wednesday, and is eyeing a fourth appearance in the televised lunchtime derby.
The 13th-placed Owls are aiming to end a run of 10 matches without a win in all competitions (nine in the Championship), while 16th-placed Town have lost their last two.
Taylor-Fletcher, who won promotion to the Premier with Blackpool in 2010, three years after joining them from Town, believes he has plenty to offer the South Yorkshire club.
“I want to play football and I’ve not had the chance at Leicester. This deal was ideal for me and Wednesday. We both really wanted to get it done,” he explained.
“I’m getting on now. I’m 33 and you want to be playing every game you can. I want to be on the pitch, not in the stand watching, so I’m glad to be here.”
Released by Blackpool the summer before last, Taylor-Fletcher had a trial at Wednesday before signing a short-term deal at Leicester, who gave him a new contract during the close-season.
“I worked with (manager) Stuart Gray when I was here before,” he said. “Stuart (previously assistant to Dave Jones) took a lot of the training then and I enjoyed it.
“There are still a lot of players who I know, so that’s a good thing. It’s easier to slot in when you know the boys.
“I just want to show what I can do and get some football and try and help Sheffield Wednesday climb the table.”
Signed from Lincoln City in 2005, Taylor-Fletcher scored 26 goals in 92 Town matches.
“I had a good two years at Huddersfield, we had a good team and the fans were brilliant,” he said.
