Sheffield Wednesday boss Garry Monk hints at changes and offers injury updates ahead of FA Cup clash at Brighton

Garry Monk will make a number of changes for Sheffield Wednesday’s trip to the south coast to take on Brighton this weekend in the FA Cup.
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The Owls boss has expressed his disappointment in the side’s intensity in a run of three successive defeats since Christmas saw them fell out of the Championship play-off places.

And Monk said that while he will respect the FA Cup by naming a strong side, the performances mean other players around the squad will be given the chance to prove themselves against the Premier League club.

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He said: “There will be some changes, but that’s more the case that there deserves to be.

“We haven’t had the week that we wanted and of course there are other factors in terms of how many games we’ve had, you’ve got to think about fitness and all of that.

“But with the week we’ve had other players deserve an opportunity as well. There will be some changes, but that’s because there needs to be.”

He confirmed Australian international Massimo Luongo is back in contention and that full-back Liam Palmer is yet to recover from the ankle injury sustained in the defeat against Cardiff.

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“Palms isn’t quite ready. There’s still swelling on his ankle, so he’ll be missing for this game.

Owls boss Garry Monk says he will make changes for the FA Cup clash at Brighton.Owls boss Garry Monk says he will make changes for the FA Cup clash at Brighton.
Owls boss Garry Monk says he will make changes for the FA Cup clash at Brighton.

“Hopefully we have a good look at him next week. It’s not as bad as first thought but the swelling is not where it needs to be in terms of being in contention for this week.

“Massimo is back out training and has been training all week. He’s fine now and up for contention.”

There was also the confirmation that Cameron Dawson will remain between the sticks as Joe Wildsmith continues his comeback from injury.

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The match has also come too soon for experienced stopper Keiren Westwood, who is back in training.

“Keiren was back out on the pitch yesterday,” Monk said. “As I said before, it’s dictated by his pain threshold and how he feels.

“There’s no serious injury or anything, he just says he feels some pain. It’s dictated by him when he feels his pain threshold is bearable.

“He was out training yesterday so we’ll see how he goes from there.”