Wednesday are expected to compete for promotion again this season after falling in the play-offs last term and Carvalhal is confident that his new recruits can help his side compete.

The Portuguese told 'Sky Sports News': "I am very happy with Jacob [Butterfield] because he is a quality midfielder and one I have appreciated since I have been in England.

"He knows the competition [Sky Bet Championship] and the way that we play and he will be integrated very easily into our philosophy.

"[Joost] van Aken comes from the Netherlands, a centre-back in our opinion with a bright future.

"He is tall and a very good header [of the ball], fantastically technical in playing the ball out from the back with his left foot.

"He has very good quality but maybe needs older players, like Frederico Venancio. He also plays centre-back, is right-footed and 24-years-old.

"With these two players we have covered the position of centre-back and now we have four and we are very happy with all of them."

Carvalhal believes that the battle for promotion will be as difficult as ever this season, if not moreso.

"This season there are more sides ready to fight for the six positions, nine or 10 clubs that can fight for those six positions," he explained.

"It will be harder than in previous seasons. In previous season we did not start well but recovered positions.

"This season we have one more point than this time last season and we believe we will grow as a team.

"The transfer window has now finished and believe me, that was not easy."

J. Butterfield

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