Sheffield Wednesday boss Henrik Pedersen hoping for Sean Fusire boost vs Preston after AFCON exit
Sheffield Wednesday could welcome Sean Fusire back into the equation for their New Year’s Day clash with Preston North End at Deepdale.
Sheffield Wednesday manager Henrik Pedersen has refused to rule Sean Fusire out of New Year’s Day’s trip to Preston North End after Zimbabwe exited the Africa Cup of Nations [AFCON] on Monday.
Mario Marinica’s were knocked out of the competition after losing 3-2 to South Africa. They finished bottom of Group B after amassing just one point from a possible seven, losing 2-1 to Egypt and 3-2 to South Africa either side of a 1-1 draw with Angola.
Unfortunately for Fusire, who was granted permission to start Wednesday’s 3-0 defeat to Derby County earlier this month before linking up with his international colleagues, he failed to make a single appearance in Morocco, failing to make it off the bench in any of Zimbabwe’s three matches.
Fortunately for Wednesday, it means he is poised to return to Middlewood Road refreshed after going more than a fortnight without playing. From a selfish point of view, Zimbabwe’s AFCON exit is good news for the Owls, as it means they can welcome Fusire back into their tiny squad amid the ongoing injury crisis.
And Pedersen has refused to rule out the prospect of the wing-back being part of the squad at Deepdale on Thursday afternoon.
Pedersen hoping for Fusire boost
Pedersen, speaking to The Star after Monday night’s 0-0 draw with Blackburn Rovers, joked: “I hope he’s sitting on a flight now!”
Asked if there is any chance he could feature at Deepdale, he added: “I don't know. But, of course, I hope.
“But I don't know, we try to get in contact and try to find the quickest possible flight back to Manchester and then to Sheffield.”
Fusire, 20, had been a regular starter for the Owls prior to linking up with the Zimbabwe squad for the AFCON, starting all but two Championship games since the October international break. The youngster has made 21 appearances in total for the club so far this term, chipping in with one goal.