The Owls host AFC Wimbledon on Saturday

Sheffield Wednesday could welcome back a couple of players for Saturday’s match against AFC Wimbledon.

Defender Ricardo Santos suffered a groin problem in the EFL Trophy earlier this month and underwent some tests. He missed the trip to Huddersfield Town last week and has been ruled out again. Di’Shon Bernard and Liam Cooper were The Owls’ centre-back pairing in that game and that could be the case again. Cooper was forced off in added-time after suffering a cut to the head as he flung himself to win the late penalty but he is okay.

But Max Lowe, who has been out for a period with a hamstring problem, has trained this week and could be in contention on Saturday or next week. Fellow defender Sil Swinkels has also stepped up his training in the last few days.

In terms of attacking options, Ali Al-Hamadi (ankle) is fit and available again, as is Davis Keillor-Dunn, who had some back issues last week that prevented him from starting against the Terriers.

Regarding the medium-term injuries, Jordi Liongola (hamstring), who has not played since the opening day, is back on the grass, while Louie Barry (ankle) is making good progress.

Providing updates on Friday afternoon, boss Henrik Pedersen said: “Santos is still in the gym in the rehab, so he's not on the pitch yet. Max has trained a lot this week. It went really well. Sil also trained this week, and he's also improving, so it's very positive.

“Jordi was on the pitch today and played boxes with the boys, and he was very happy. And that was also positive. Ali has trained the full week with full power, also positive.

“Louie Barry, he's running a lot, and he worked really, really hard, also with the ball, so it's also positive. So yeah, we also get more and more smile from his face that he can start to see he is getting better and better.

“He (Keillor-Dunn) is a top player, and he was not in the starting 11 last week because he had a back problem. He'd not really trained, and he also still had back problems on game-day, but he's totally fit. He had a big influence for the second half, and he's a good player, and we are happy that he's fully back.”

With all six loan players fit it means one will have to miss out on a place in the matchday squad. Pedersen seemed to hint that Al-Hamadi might have done enough to be involved which perhaps leaves a question mark next Mason Burstow.

“It's a big challenge,” Pedersen said on that decision. “But one of them will not be in the squad. Ali has done really well in the training. So it's a tough selection, but it will be done.”