War-torn Sheffield Wednesday have further injury concerns ahead of Bristol City clash
The rain won’t stop pouring on Sheffield Wednesday, with further injury concerns to deal with heading into Saturday’s trip to Bristol City.
The beleaguered Owls are on a run of 21 matches without a win in the league and have been battered by injuries and the prospect of transfer window departures from a threadbare squad. Tuesday’s defeat to Birmingham City saw Wednesday’s nine-man substitutes bench one short, with four season rookies named in the starting line-up.
In a squad decimated by an enforced summer exodus, a swathe of injuries to a host of players has further damaged a side grappling for any opportunity to grab a first win since September. And things could be worse heading to Ashton Gate, with two senior players having felt issues that could stand to keep them out.
Yan Valery and Svante Ingelsson are two of the more experienced figures in the squad and speaking to The Star ahead of this weekend’s trip, Henrik Pedersen expressed concern over their condition. “Let’s see tomorrow,” Pedersen said. “Yan had some problems after the game, so let’s see what happens with him. Svante had some problems also after the game, so let’s see with him. I hope for the best.”
There is no real expectation of any of Wednesday’s existing injury cases returning for this weekend, though Max Lowe, Liam Cooper and Olaf Kobacki are edging closer to contention.
Much has been made of the importance of Wednesday’s senior figures being able to guide the more inexperienced Owls through the requirements of Championship fixtures. Valery and Ingelsson both perform those roles and asked just how much of a blow it would be to their chances of claiming anything, the Danish coach said: “Of course it is. Let’s see tomorrow how things will be. I can just hope for the best that everybody can go to Bristol.”