SVEN FLIES IN FOR OWLS

SVEN-GORAN ERIKSSON is in line for a shock return to English football as Sheffield Wednesday boss.

The former England manager (left) has formally applied for the Owls post and is being seriously considered. Wednesday chairman Dejphon Chansiri wants a big name to replace Carlos Carvalhal, who was sacked on Christmas Eve.

And 69-year-old Eriksson fits the bill. Wednesday face Carlisle in the FA Cup third round tomorrow.

But Chansiri is keen to have Carvalhal’s successor in place before next Friday’s Steel City derby against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane. Eriksson has been out of work since being fired by Chinese League One side Shenzhen last June after a nine-game winless run.

He is keen to have another crack in England following

spells in charge at Manchester City and Leicester alongside a brief stint as Notts County’s director of football.

During his five-year reign as England manager, the Swede led the country to the quarter-finals of the 2002 and 2006 World Cups, as well as the last eight at Euro 2004.

Ex-boss Carvalhal bounced straight back into management last week, at the Premier League’s bottom side Swansea.

Yesterday he claimed he wants to sign ‘lobsters’ in the transfer window but may have to settle for ‘sardines’ instead.

“We have money for sardines and I’m thinking lobster,” he said, ahead of tomorrow’s FA Cup clash with Wolves.

“I will do my best to try and bring in the best players. I will look to the lobsters and sea bass but if not, we must buy sardines.

“Sometimes sardines can win games.

“It’s not a question of money, it’s a question of opportunity and the quality of the players.”