Injury Concerns Mount for Sheffield Wednesday Ahead of Crucial Stoke City Clash
Sheffield Wednesday face fresh injury worries ahead of their Good Friday trip to the Bet365 Stadium to face Stoke City, with manager Danny Rohl revealing that three key players are in doubt.
Captain Barry Bannan, defender Michael Ihiekwe, and winger Anthony Musaba are all uncertain to feature, adding to what has already been a difficult season on the injury front for the Owls.
The squad has been plagued by setbacks throughout the campaign, particularly in defence. Di’Shon Bernard remains sidelined long-term, and doubts persist over whether he’ll be ready for next season. Akin Famewo and Max Lowe have also endured lengthy absences, leaving Rohl to patch together makeshift backlines week after week.
Now, the problems are creeping into midfield and attack. Speaking to the club’s official media, Rohl confirmed that Bannan remains a doubt after missing the defeat to Oxford United, while both Musaba and Ihiekwe — who started in that match — are being monitored closely.
“There are question marks over Barry, Musa, and Icky,” Rohl stated. “They are the only doubts for tomorrow — all the others are available.”
With the squad stretched and little left at stake in the league, Rohl may opt to give opportunities to some fringe or younger players. Stuart Armstrong partnered Shea Charles in midfield during Bannan’s absence, but Svante Ingelsson and Nathaniel Chalobah are also viable options.
Should Ihiekwe be unavailable, Dominic Iorfa could return to the starting XI, or young defender Gabriel Otegbayo might be handed a chance to impress. In Musaba’s absence, Ibrahim Cissoko could step up, or Rohl may reshuffle by pushing Josh Windass to the wing and bringing in Charlie McNeill or Ingelsson in a more attacking role.
Different Stakes, Different Motivations
While Sheffield Wednesday enter the match with little on the line besides pride, Stoke City remain in the thick of a relegation battle. Games like this often define the closing weeks of the season — one side pushing for survival, the other simply aiming to finish strong.
Form favours the hosts, with the Owls winless in their last five outings. With uncertainty looming ahead of the summer transfer window, Rohl will be hoping for a strong performance to disrupt Stoke’s momentum and end the season on a more positive note.