Sheffield Wednesday face a defensive crisis following Julian Borner’s latest red card and puts a spotlight on the club’s decision not to bring in another defender in January.
The Owls started the campaign without a recognised left-back on the books.
The dismissal of Garry Monk saw Wednesday later revert from a wingback system to a back four, prompting either a right-footer or central defender to play out on the left.
Liam Palmer, Osaze Urhoghide and Matt Penney have all had spells out there.
SAKA, ANTONY AND 10 PREMIER LEAGUE STARS HEADING TO THEIR FIRST WORLD CUP
And now the Owls are facing another crisis at centre-back. Dominic Iorfa is out for the season, while Joost van Aken and Cheyenne Dunkley have struggled with fitness.
The latest player to have a spell on the side-lines is Borner after his dismissal at Reading.
Wednesday missed an opportunity to strengthen defensively in January, and one player they were reportedly keen to sign was HJK Helsinki’s Daniel O’Shaughnessy.
According to Football Insider, the Owls and Queens Park Rangers were tracking the versatile defender with his contract at the Finnish club expiring at the end of 2021.
Helsinki face the dilemma of potentially losing him on a free, and were reportedly open to selling the Finland international for a bargain £500,000 in the January transfer window.
A deal, however, ultimately never materialised with O’Shaughnessy staying in Helsinki.
The 26-year-old is a late bloomer but has shown plenty of potential, picking up the MOTM award during Finland’s impressive 2-0 win over Word Cup winners France last year.
Wednesday may now regret not pursuing a deal with a potential relegation now looming.
Newly appointed manager Darren Moore has started off with two losses, leaving the Owls seven points from safety and on a torrid run of six consecutive Championship defeats.
Also see: £3.5m top scorer wanted by Owls and Stoke enters barren spell after January links
Also see: Report: £2.5m Owls ace lined up for summer move despite fallout with new manager
