Coventry City will be without a key player for tonight’s FA Cup replay against Sheffield Wednesday.
Sheffield Wednesday have been on the end of a number of disappointing results against Coventry City this season, having already played them three times.
The Owls were beaten 2-0 in the Midlands on Boxing Day, before they met at Hillsborough last month in what ended in another defeat.
Captain Ben Sheaf netted a brace to claim the victory for Coventry, before he went onto bag an assist in the FA Cup’s initial meeting.
The midfielder, who was absent for their first meeting in December, has been an important part of the Sky Blues’ team this season and has proven to be a bit of a bogey player for Sheffield Wednesday too.
However, Sheaf will now miss out on tonight’s replay after suffering an injury during Coventry’s draw with Bristol City last week.
“He’s going to be out for six to eight weeks,” his manager, Mark Robins, said.
“They will treat the symptoms, not the scan, but generally when you get a grading they say it will be X amount of time – but he may get back a little quicker. Ben will do the right things and fingers crossed he’ll be back quicker.”
Sheffield Wednesday will be sick of the sight of Coventry City after tonight, having only beaten them once in their last six meetings.
Ben Sheaf’s absence will be a huge blow to the hosts though, while the Owls can take advantage and look to reignite their form in the Midlands.
How should Sheffield Wednesday approach this game?
Mark Robins’ side endured their first defeat in two months at the weekend as they were beaten by Norwich City, though they haven’t won a game at their last three attempts.
Danny Rohl‘s side haven’t been at their best either though and the German has suggested he will be playing a weakened team tonight, so the squad will have to be at their very best if they are to progress to the next round.
Sheffield Wednesday currently sit eight points from safety and, while there is a brilliant opportunity for an FA Cup run with Maidstone United in the next round, their main focus needs to be on staying in the Championship.
With a long list of players set to see their contracts expire in the summer, the club could be in big trouble if they do drop down to League One.
Danny Rohl’s positive impact at Hillsborough could also lead to interest in his services too – which could spell disaster for Sheffield Wednesday if they want to come straight back up.