The Owls lost 2-0 at Notts County on Tuesday night

Callum Slattery’s suspension for this Saturday’s derby game at Doncasters Rovers could present an opportunity for another Owls man.

The midfielder collected his fifth booking of the season in the first-half of the defeat to Notts County on Tuesday night, triggering a one-match ban for accumulation of yellow cards.

Slattery, 26, scored against AFC Wimbledon on Saturday and it was hoped that would propel him back into form after his performance levels had dipped from the first few weeks of the season. However, the former Motherwell player will now miss the South Yorkshire derby against Rovers.

Slattery’s absence could present an opportunity to Kieran Morrison, who is a natural winger compared to Slattery, who has been operating off the right. Morrison has struggled for game-time in the last three outings but he could be given a chance at the weekend.

On Slattery’s suspension, Pedersen told The Star: “Of course he is disappointed, but we also knew it would be difficult for Slat to play to December without getting a yellow card.”

Slattery was brought off at half-time at Meadow Lane and replaced by Ali Al-Hamadi, who went up front and Jamal Lowe moved to the right of the attacking trio behind. But Pedersen had to alter his plans again after Lowe was shown a straight red card early into the second-half.

Explaining the half-time change, Pedersen said: “We wanted to have Ali on the pitch so he could run behind and fight more with them on the top line. And we didn’t want to any risk with a Slat (after his yellow card).”

Wednesday were deservedly beaten at Meadow Lane and were second best when it was 11v11. The loss ended their nine-match unbeaten run in all competitions but they remain sixth in the League One table. However, they lost ground on the top two in Stockport County and Huddersfield Town, who both won and have opened up a four-point gap over The Owls who have a game in hand.