Sheffield Wednesday: Owls waiting on full Jordan Rhodes injury verdict

The centre-forward was stretchered off in the closing stages of Saturday’s clash at the Macron Stadium following an aerial challenge with David Wheater.

Rhodes, a half-time substitute, left the ground on crutches and wearing a protective boot on his left ankle. The 27-year-old, who has struggled to make an impact since joining Wednesday last February in a big-money deal from Middlesbrough, is set to be assessed by the club’s medical team over the coming days as soon as the swelling in his ankle goes down.

“We don’t know the full extent of the problem at this moment,” said Carlos Carvalhal.

Under-pressure head coach Carvalhal was critical of referee David Coote’s performance after the Owls’ third defeat in four matches. Kieran Lee was sent sprawling under a challenge from David Wheater in the penalty area late on but Coote booked Lee for diving.

Carvalhal, who named an unchanged starting line-up and left club captain Glenn Loovens out of his matchday squad, claimed: “The work he did was really very poor. It was unbalanced in the critical situations.”

Bolton held on to claim their first league win of the season thanks to strikes by Sammy Ameobi and an own goal by Sam Hutchinson. Lee grabbed a consolation for Wednesday, who remain in 12th position after 12 matches, four points shy of the play-off slots.

Carvalhal refused to blame his players for their latest reversal, saying: “I accept all the responsibility.

“I played the same team who played very well against Leeds because they deserved to perform again.

“They didn’t perform against Bolton but I will not put any responsibility on them.”

He accepts Wednesday have to improve their record versus the teams near the bottom of the league.

“We must concentrate more on these games and try to arrange solutions,” said Carvalhal.

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