It’s deadline day and Sheffield Wednesday are believed to be on the hunt for a central defender – a quest furthered by the a pair of long-term injuries.
Defenders Akin Famewo and Dominic Iorfa have continued their recovery at Middlewood Road, but are expected to be out until mid-March, when they will begin a staged return to full match fitness.
Speaking with The Star, Owls manager Danny Röhl acknowledged the continued state of their ailments and suggested the club is looking for a double return during the season’s final international break, which begins after the Sheffield derby at Hillsborough on March 17. It will be the final of eight matches before the break.
Röhl also proposed that the club consider playing a friendly match during the break to help Famewo and Iorfa heal and accelerate their progress toward match fitness.
“I think for these injuries you never know,” remarked the physician. “The idea could be for them to get some minutes during the international break in a friendly game or something similar, and then they will be ready in the final weeks. It is critical that we keep them after the injury; we cannot afford for them to suffer another setback. It indicates you may have to wait another week or so before it is obvious they are ready to depart.
Wednesday will be a little short-handed at the back due to the absence of the two players. Michael Ihiekwe, a marginal player for much of the season, has received praise for his efforts after his return to the team with Di’Shon Bernard. Gabriel Otegbayo is the only other specialist centre-half, but Yan Valery and Max Lowe have both performed well on either side of a back three.
The transfer deadline is around 11 p.m. this evening, and Wednesday is expected to bring in defensive reinforcements.
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