The Owls have struggled all season with injury problems
Sheffield Wednesday boss Henrik Pedersen (Image: Pro Sports Images)
Sheffield Wednesday could be handed a welcome boost for Saturday’s Yorkshire derby at the MKM Stadium when they take on play-off-chasing Hull City, looking to inflict more damage on the Tigers’ play-off hopes.
Already relegated, Wednesday could see experienced defender Max Lowe return to the fold, having been sidelined with a calf injury since the defeat to Ipswich Town before Christmas.
Lowe had been expected to return in January, but was hit by a setback and has since missed a huge chunk of the Championship campaign, with the Owls toiling at the foot of the table with just one win all season and their demotion to League One already confirmed after a disastrous season which has seen them fall into administration.
Wednesday are also hopeful of having striker George Brown back in the fold soon, though the visit to East Yorkshire will likely come too soon.
Like ex-Nottingham Forest and Sheffield United left-back Lowe, Brown was injured in the 3-1 loss at Portman Road on December 20, picking up a hamstring problem which has kept him out for the 18 games since.
JOIN US ON FACEBOOK! Latest Hull City news and analysis on our Hull Live FB page
“Max is starting to train with the team now, so it’s very positive,” Owls head coach Henrik Pedersen told The Star when asked if any of his injured players were likely to be back for the Yorkshire derby.
Wednesday will certainly be without former City transfer target Liam Cooper, and ex-Tigers loanee Di’Shon Bernard, as well as Ernie Weaver, who is amongst those players unavailable.
The Tigers, who will be desperate to return to winning ways before the international break after their dismal defeat at West Brom, will welcome back Joel Ndala to the MKM Stadium. The winger spent the first half of the season on loan with the Tigers from Manchester City, before heading to Hillsborough on deadline day last month.
Ndala played 25 minutes off the bench at the weekend as the Owls were beaten 2-0 at home by the Tractor Boys, and has notched up seven appearances, with three of those coming from the start. January signing Zain Silcott-Duberry is also pushing for a place in the squad as he waits to make his debut.
Here at Hull Live , we are dedicated to bringing you the best Hull City coverage and analysis. Make sure you don’t miss out on the latest City news by joining our free WhatsApp group.
You can get all the breaking news and best analysis sent straight to your phone by clicking here to subscribe. You can also subscribe to our free newsletter service. Click here to be sent all the day’s biggest stories.