Sheffield Wednesday have suffered an injury blow ahead of their return to action this weekend.
Sheffield Wednesday have welcomed eleven new players to the club this summer, but it looks like they could well rely on some of last season’s trusted stars again.
Yan Valery is already set to be sidelined after picking up an injury during international duty, which could see Pol Valentin come back into the fold.
A number of other fringe players will have been hoping to force their way into Danny Rohl’s thoughts, though one youngster definitely won’t be getting a look in anytime soon.
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Sheffield Wednesday defender suffers unknown injury
According to The Star, Joey Phuthi is set for a spell on the sidelines after undergoing successful surgery on an injury.
The 19-year-old made his senior debut in the Championship last season, as well as making a cameo in the FA Cup in February.
The ‘exciting’ defender will have hoped to rack up extra minutes this term, but it is now unclear how long he will be out of action for.
Phuthi last featured in the U21s’ 4-4 draw with Bristol City last month before suffering an unknown injury.
The teenager arguably should have been sent out on loan this summer following his promising 2023/24 campaign, in which he also made his international debut for Zimbabwe.
Could injuries bring fresh opportunities for U21s?
When everyone is fit, Phuthi is likely to be behind Valentin, Valery and Liam Palmer in the pecking order.
However, his injury comes at a frustrating time given Valery’s absence, while Phuthi would have been hopeful of taking Valentin’s place on the bench for their upcoming meeting with QPR if he was available.
The youngster is one of a number of U21s players who could have benefitted from a loan move, but may have to wait till January if he returns to full fitness by then.
Gui Siqueira could benefit from Wednesday’s injuries at right-back though, with the versatile defender still waiting to make his Championship debut.
The Brazilian was named on the bench eight times last term, as well as making three appearances in the FA Cup.
Rohl will be hoping his team can overcome this bad spell of form, but he surely won’t rule out the possibility of bringing in one or two U21s players if he runs out of ideas.