A Sheffield Wednesday youngster could be in line to make his Championship debut against Burnley this weekend.
Sheffield Wednesday return to Championship action with a game against Burnley at Hillsborough this weekend.
It marks the end of the second international break of this season, with the first having been a major turning point for Danny Rohl’s side this season.
The Owls went into the September break on the back of a 3-0 defeat at Millwall. But two weeks on the training ground did Wednesday a world of good.
In five games between the September break and this October break, Wednesday have lost just once, claiming wins over both West Brom and Coventry City and moving up to 15th place of the Championship table.
Burnley currently sit in 3rd and are just one point behind Sunderland in 1st.
Gabriel Otegbayo claim made ahead of Sheffield Wednesday vs Burnley
During this month’s international break, it’s been revealed that Di’Shon Bernard has picked up a muscle injury, returning early from international duty with Jamaica.
The former Manchester United man now looks to be a doubt for the game against Burnley this weekend.
And centre-back is a position that’s already thin on the ground, with Dominic Iorfa having yet to feature since his injury earlier in the season, albeit making the bench against Coventry City.
Amid the news of Bernard’s injury, journalist Joe Crann suggested on X that academy centre-back Gabriel Otegbayo could be in the squad to face Burnley, after he wasn’t named in the U21s side that faced Sheffield United on Monday.
Gabriel Otegbayo could play important role for Sheffield Wednesday
Rohl is obviously keen to utilise the club’s younger players, and Otegbayo is one he’s fond of.
The 20-year-old made his first senior start for the Owls last month, playing in the Carabao Cup win against Blackpool.
After the win, Rohl spoke fondly of Otegbayo. Now with Bernard likely to miss Burnley and options light at the back, Otegbayo should at least make the bench.
And if the Owls can’t bring in a centre-back in January then Otegbayo could go on to play an important rotational role for the Owls this season.
If he can make the odd appearance in the league and hold his own, then next season he could be readied for a more involved first-team role, or even a loan exit from Hillsborough.
Kick off is at 3pm on Saturday.