Tyreeq Bakinson absence explained as Sheffield Wednesday look to equal decade-old record against Cambridge United

The Owls’ win over Port Vale last week drew them level on points with Ipswich Town in second place, with only a single ‘goal scored’ keeping them in third.

It also stretched their unbeaten run in League One football to 12 matches. If they avoid defeat against struggling Cambridge United at Hillsborough this afternoon, they’ll have gone 13 without defeat for the first time since the 2011/12 season that ended in third tier promotion.

The calendar year 2022 was a fruitful season for Wednesday, who recorded more points than in any other year in their history.

The Owls will take on a Cambridge side who have faltered this time out but were two unbeaten heading into a narrow 1-0 defeat at Derby County on Friday evening.

“It’s another test again,” Moore said. “They’re coming here and it looks like they’ve picked up a bit of form. They were on a terrible run before that, but they’ve kept the belief there and they’ve picked up a few good results in recent weeks.

“If ever they were going to come here and pick up a result, now is the time for them.

“We’ll be here in front of our fans and we have to make sure we’re the best version of ourselves.

Asked to explain the absence of Tyreeq Bakinson from the matchday squad that beat Port Vale, Moore pointed at continued squad rotation in key areas of his changing room and made clear there was no suggestion he would miss out this afternoon.

“It was just a change around of personnel,” Moore said. “Dennis Adeniran came back in and I just thought Dennis’ energy could be useful.

“He [Adeniran] has had a good taste of the action and we welcome him back. He’s ready to go now and he’s had a little taster. He’d have enjoyed that [against Port Vale] and it’s been so good to have him back in our squad.”