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Di’Shon Bernard’s first appearance in 19 months meant a great deal to everyone at Sheffield Wednesday.

The defender returned to action for the under-21s recently after 19 months out with a knee injury that he suffered against West Brom in March 2025. It has been a long road to recovery, involving surgery and setbacks. The 25-year-old played 45 minutes in a 2-2 draw against Charlton Athletic just over a week ago and was supported from the stands by Owls manager Henrik Pedersen and several of his team-mates.

The centre-back joined Wednesday three years ago after leaving Manchester United and he is a popular figure with supporters. After such a long time out, he admitted to being ‘nervous’ and ‘excited’ about playing again, but he came through the match against Charlton ‘better than expected, from Pedersen’s perspective. Bernard is now set to get more minutes, possibly 45 to 60, under his belt in Tuesday night’s EFL Trophy clash at Salford City and in another friendly game that Wednesday are trying to arrange during the international break.

“We were all very, very pleased,” Pedersen told The Star. “You could see there was a lot of first-team players to watch the game because everyone has seen how hard he has worked. Everyone was so interested to see in which condition will he play. I think he did it really, really well. And now we have to find the next game as quick as possible for him, and the next game again. So hopefully he can get minutes again Tuesday, and if we find a test game that he can also get minutes here, so he can come closer and closer as quick as possible.”

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There is no doubt his on-watching team-mates will also have been desperate to see him come through the Charlton game unscathed and will have been relieved to hear that he did not suffer any problems. Pedersen smiled as he revealed how Bernard was telling him ‘I’m strong gaffer’, I’m strong.’

Pedersen continued: “I think it's a good picture for our group that we have a group that is very close, and of course, this has been here for more years. This is a top player. This is a top human. He's a top leader. So of course, what's happened means a lot for many players in our squad, and they all want him the best, and they also all know how big impact he can have if we look when he's coming back and he's totally fit. So there was many reason why there was a big support this day.”

Wednesday will not be rushing Bernard back, but when the Jamaica centre-half is fully fit, they will have some strong competition for places with Ricardo Santos and Liam Cooper having struck up a promising partnership in the first part of the season.

“Let's take it step by step and see if he get minutes again Tuesday,” Pedersen added. “Then we are making evaluation with him about this, and then maybe another game, and then let's see what where he will be after this.”