Henrik Pedersen explains why Zain Silcott-Duberry is still waiting to make Sheffield Wednesday debut
Manager Henrik Pedersen has suggested Zain Silcott-Duberry will have to fight his way into contention to make his Sheffield Wednesday debut following his arrival at Hillsborough last month.
The former Chelsea youngster joined Wednesday on a short-term deal until the end of the season and is still waiting to make his first-team debut. He has featured in each of the Under-21s’ last four matches.
After featuring in the U21s’ 3-3 draw with Fleetwood Town last Tuesday, Pedersen confirmed there was a chance Silcott-Duberry could make his Wednesday debut prior to the upcoming international break. He was not included in the matchday squad for Saturday’s 2-0 defeat to Ipswich Town, meaning this weekend’s trip to Hull City will mark his last chance to make his Owls bow ahead of the final international break of the season.
Wednesday, who had two looks at Silcott-Duberry at Middlewood Road before offering him a contract, signed the 20-year-old to strengthen their attacking options amid his profile as a versatile winger.
The Owls strengthened their wide options in the winter window, signing Joel Ndala from Manchester City, but he has struggled for regular game time since arriving at Hillsborough.
Ndala, who was introduced after 65 minutes against Ipswich, replacing Jarvis Thornton, was joined on the bench by fellow attackers Devlan Moses and Will Grainger, both of whom were introduced late on.
Pedersen later revealed Grainger found himself ahead of Silcott-Duberry in the pecking order to earn himself a spot in the matchday squad against Ipswich, pointing out the level of competition he has in forward areas.
Asked if Silcott-Duberry could be part of the squad that faces Hull on Saturday, Pedersen told The Star: “Yes, but again today [vs Ipswich] we tried to double up in so many positions. We had Joel, and today Will was in front of him.
“It's a competitive situation on this level.”
Following this weekend’s trip to Hull, Wednesday will have seven games left on the other side of the international break, starting with an Easter weekend double-header against Stoke City (A) and Leicester City (H).
Restarting their campaign against Stoke on Good Friday, Wednesday will navigate their way through their final seven games of the season in 30 days, meaning more rotation and opportunities are likely before the curtain eventually falls on what has been a season to forget on May 2.