Sheffield Wednesday face Yan Valery wait after AFCON injury scare
Sheffield Wednesday are waiting to find out if Yan Valery picked up an injury in Tunisia’s AFCON clash with Mali.
Sheffield Wednesday manager Henrik Pedersen is waiting to find out if Yan Valery has encountered an injury problem after his Africa Cup of Nations [AFCON] campaign came to an end on Saturday evening.
After successfully navigating their way through the group stage, Tunisia were knocked out of the competition in the first knockout round, being beaten by Mali on penalties in the last-16. Mali won 3-2 on spot kicks after the contest had finished 1-1 after 120 minutes.
Valery’s evening came to an end in the second half of extra-time, being taken off with 111 minutes on the clock. His withdrawal sparked some fears he had picked up an injury, potentially adding to the Owls’ woes.
However, speaking in the immediate aftermath of his side’s 3-0 defeat to QPR at Loftus Road on Sunday afternoon, Pedersen could neither confirm nor deny if the versatile operator had encountered an injury, admitting, at the time of hosting his post-match press conference, he was yet to have spoken to Valery.
"I saw it but I don't have any update yet on his situation," Pedersen told The Star. "I think I'll get it later today (Sunday) and then we'll see how much rest he needs before he will be back again.
Pedersen waiting for Valery update
"I will speak with him maybe later today, or our coaches will, and then we will make a good plan for him. He also deserves some days off now, he has had a long season with a lot of games for the national team, and we need him back again in a fresh state.
"We'll make a good plan for him so he comes back strong again."
Valery, after being called-up by Tunisia to be part of their AFCON plans last month, has missed each of Wednesday’s last six matches, meaning the Owls’ already depleted squad has been left even lighter in recent weeks.
Pedersen is expected to speak to the media again later this week to preview Saturday’s FA Cup third round clash against Brentford, meaning he is likely to provide an update on Valery ahead of the weekend.