Barry Bannan update emerges as Sheffield Wednesday sweat over two new injury doubts for Stoke City tie
Sheffield Wednesday trio Barry Bannan, Michael Ihiekwe and Anthony Musaba are doubts for the Good Friday clash with Stoke City, Danny Rohl has said.
Sheffield Wednesday injury news hasn’t brought many positive outcomes for the Owls this season. SWFC have had a whole host of significant injury blows to deal with over the course of the campaign
The defence has been hit hard in particular. Di’Shon Bernard has been out long-term and might not be back in time for the start of last season, while Akin Famewo and even makeshift centre-back Max Lowe have had lengthy spells out too.
However, coming into the Good Friday clash with Stoke City, Danny Rohl revealed there are question marks over key players in attack and midfield too.
As quoted by the club’s official media, the Sheffield Wednesday boss confirmed doubt remains over Barry Bannan’s availability after sitting out of the Oxford United defeat.
Winger Anthony Musaba and defender Michael Ihiekwe both started against the U’s, but there are question marks over whether either will feature against Stoke City. SWFC boss Rohl said:
“There are question marks over Barry, Musa and Icky. They are the only question marks for tomorrow all the others are available.”
Opportunity knocks
With injuries hitting and nothing left to play for, Sheffield Wednesday could some different players given chances to come into the starting XI against Stoke City.
Stuart Armstrong started alongside Shea Charles in the absence of captain Bannan but Svante Ingelsson and Nathaniel Chalobah are also options.
In place of Ihiekwe, it could be that Dominic Iorfa comes in. However, Rohl could hand another opportunity to young defender Gabriel Otegbayo.
If Musaba is absent, Ibrahim Cissoko feels a likely replacement. It could be that Windass shifts to the left though, potentially bringing Ingelsson in as a more advanced option or even Charlie McNeill in as a second striker.
One side with all to play for…
Sheffield Wednesday come into the Stoke City game with nothing but pride to play for, while the Potters are still fighting for their lives in the relegation picture.
Games like this are fairly common at this stage in the season, but Rohl will be determined too spoil the improving mood at the Bet365 Stadium.
Form is with the hosts coming into this game though. SWFC are winless in five and coasting towards the campaign’s end, beyond which lies an uncertain summer transfer window.
Sheffield Wednesday injury check on trio ahead of Stoke City clash
Sheffield Wednesday boss Danny Rohl has given an update on captain Barry Bannan ahead of a match against Stoke City at the bet365 Stadium
Sheffield Wednesday will make late calls on three players including captain Barry Bannan ahead of Friday’s Championship match at Stoke City.
Bannan, Anthony Musaba and Michael Ihiekwe will all face fitness tests before Danny Rohl names his team for the bet365 Stadium, hopiog to end a five-match winless run.
Rohl is already without Di’Shon Bernard and Max Lowe, who have both been ruled out until the summer.
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He told the Sheffield Star: “So far it looks good but there are question marks on Barry, Musa and Icky – those are three question mark for us tomorrow. All the other players are availa
He added: “When I see (Bannan) he works very hard to come back, he wants to play. I think that’s a good signal, he looks good on the pitch, now it’s about tomorrow and how he does. We’ve said this before, and we have four more games. My captain wants to be ready, and that’s a good signal.”
Wednesday are looking to do a league double over Stoke for the first time since 1953 but Mark Robins’ Stoke are desperate to stop them and pick up a win that would give them a huge step towards safety.
