Sheffield Wednesday are gearing up for their upcoming clash against QPR facing a defensive dilemma compounded by injury concerns and crucial decisions regarding Di’Shon Bernard. Manager Danny Röhl faces a significant challenge in piecing together his defensive lineup as the Owls prepare to take on Queens Park Rangers in the Championship this weekend.

With Michael Ihiekwe nursing a new injury post-international break and Dominic Iorfa still uncertain after missing their recent match against Millwall, Röhl expressed his frustration at the lack of available central defenders. Despite not being injured, Di’Shon Bernard is also under scrutiny and labeled a ‘question mark,’ especially given his recent return from international duty in Honduras alongside fellow teammate Jamal Lowe.

Bernard’s previous experience returning from Caribbean international duty resulted in an injury setback that kept him sidelined for several crucial fixtures. Considering the potential unavailability of Ihiekwe and Iorfa, Röhl is contemplating benching the 23-year-old center-back to avoid a similar scenario. This decision would leave Akin Famewo as the sole recognized central defender as Wednesday aims to break free from a three-game losing streak.

Röhl highlighted concerns about Bernard’s fitness and readiness due to the taxing journey back from international duty and the toll it might take on the player. The manager emphasized the need for data to gauge Bernard’s physical condition and workload before making a final decision, mindful of the previous injury setback suffered in a similar situation earlier in the year.

Addressing similar concerns about Jamal Lowe’s return, Röhl stressed the importance of assessing each player’s physical and mental state, especially when returning late from international fixtures. While acknowledging the efforts of the squad members who remained and worked diligently during the break, Röhl emphasized the need to evaluate various factors in determining the lineup for the upcoming fixtures.