Sheffield Wednesday need all men at the ready for their busy festive period, but the gift of three points against QPR was accompanied by concern.
Late goals from Bailey Cadamarteri and Anthony Musaba secured the Owls’ third win in four games and took them to within six points of safety at the weekend.
But Danny Rohl has been left with a trio of problems after the clash with QPR, with Bambo Diaby, Callum Patterson and John Buckley all forced off the pitch with injuries.
While the extent of the injuries is unclear, but The Star have reported that there are concerns that the latter could face a ‘lengthy’ spell on the sidelines.
John Buckley has struggled to retain a regular place since joining Sheffield Wednesday on loan, making only two starts under Rohl. While there was the assumption that Blackburn Rovers could recall the midfielder next month anyway, Buckley’s injury now looks to potentially confirm an early exit from Hillsborough.
Sheffield Wednesday are limited for options in the midfield without Buckley and could now be forced to scour the winter transfer market for the 24-year-old’s replacement.
Here are three players the Owls could target…
Matty Longstaff
Matty Longstaff has had a very unusual career so far.
The midfielder made his Premier League debut for Newcastle United against Manchester United in 2019, scoring a stunner to earn them the win and also him the Premier League Goal of the Month award. Longstaff also went onto score against the Red Devils again in the reverse fixture.
The 23-year-old made 15 appearances for Newcastle before he was sent out on loan to Aberdeen, Colchester and Mansfield Town – netting six goals in 18 appearances with the latter.
Four years after making his debut for Newcastle, Longstaff was released in the summer after suffering an ACL injury last year. Longstaff has spoken out and claimed he will ‘hopefully’ be fit by January.
Longstaff was once very highly-rated on Tyneside and clearly has bags of talent. While it is unclear how he will be once he returns to action, he could well be worth a punt on a free transfer.
Tim Iroegbunam
Tim Iroegbunam was very highly regarded at Aston Villa, joining from West Brom in 2021.
The midfielder made his first Premier League start in April of last year, before he was part of the England U19 squad that won the 2022 Euros He then joined QPR on loan last season.
Iroegbunam was excellent for QPR as he made 32 appearances in the Championship, before finishing runner-up for the club’s Supporters’ Young Player of the Year award.
The 20-year-old returned to Villa Park in the summer but has spent the campaign so far on the sidelines.
If available in January, Iroegbunam could look for a loan move away if he is unable to force his way into the senior team.
Cameron Brannagan
Cameron Brannagan joined Oxford United from Liverpool in 2018 and has been one of League One’s best midfielders ever since.
Brannagan has since been named in the PFA Team of the Year twice and was also named the club’s Player of the Year for the 2021/22 season.
The 27-year-old has four goals and four assists this term as Oxford sit third in League One.
Since the days of being linked with Real Madrid and Barcelona whilst on Mersyside, Brannagan hasn’t left the third tier of English football. It could be a tough ask, but the midfielder may be tempted by a move to the Championship.