Tom Lees’ surprise Sheffield Wednesday absence explained
The Owls picked up their first win at Hillsborough since way back in February as they beat Bournemouth 1-0 in what was a shock result on the back of disappointing defeats to Luton Town, Rotherham United and Wycombe Wanderers – and it was three points that took them to within just one point of getting out of the negative points.
Tom Lees’ return from injury against Rotherham ended in disappointment as he was sent off in the first half of the 3-0 loss, but he was expected back in the side against the Cherries after sitting out the 1-0 defeat to Wycombe Wanderers.
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Hide AdSo when the defender was nowhere to be seen in the squad, not even on the bench, there were a few eyebrows raised by journalists and fans alike, but it turns out he had somewhere more important to be…
Speaking after the game, his manager explained, “Just before the game this morning, Tom Lees, who was supposed to come to be involved, his wife goes into labour and he can’t be involved.
“You just think, especially in that area of the pitch, can we get any more things going against us.”
Monk did go on to insist, with a smile, that he wasn’t having a go at Lees’ wife, of course, but he did admit that he was in contention to possibly even start against Bournemouth ahead of one of the other centre backs that put in such a good performance.
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Hide AdFor Liam Palmer, Dominic Iorfa and Julian Börner, though, it meant that they were able to play their part in what was an impressive clean sheet against a side fancied to be up at the top end of the table come the end of season, which will give them a huge boost going into the clash with Millwall.
Lees is expected to be back available for the weekend, as will Joost van Aken after he served the last game of his own suspension.