Sheffield Wednesday have injury concerns over two important players before their League One trip to face Wycombe Wanderers on Tuesday night. The news comes despite a convincing 7-2 home win over Bromley that moved them up to fourth in the table.
Manager Henrik Pedersen confirmed the issues after the match. Defender Ricardo Santos, a summer signing, was substituted at halftime after going down off the pitch just before the break. Captain Barry Bannan also came off on the hour-mark. Both players received knocks to their ankles, casting doubt on their availability for the midweek fixture.
Ricardo Santos had only recently returned from a long-term injury before Saturday's game. He did emerge for the second half but was replaced immediately. "He got a knock on his ankle. So yeah, let's see," Pedersen said about the centre-back's condition. Barry Bannan, who provided an assist for the fourth goal, also left the pitch early with a similar issue. Their potential absence would be a significant blow for Wednesday's defensive and creative units as they prepare to face a Wycombe side sitting 16th in League One.
Wycombe Wanderers have taken two points from their opening two games this season, with a record of zero wins, two draws, and zero losses. Their goal difference stands at zero, having scored two and conceded two. They currently trail league leaders Bradford City by four points.
The injury news overshadowed a dominant attacking display from Sheffield Wednesday. They secured their first home league win of the season in front of 30,000 fans at Hillsborough. Louie Barry and Jamal Lowe each scored twice, with further goals from Callum Slattery, Mason Burstow, and Gabriel Otegbayo. The only blemish was conceding two late goals. The victory provides momentum but the potential loss of key men creates immediate selection headaches.
Pedersen also made a tactical decision regarding winger Kieran Morrison, who was expected to start but began on the bench. "Kieran, he deserved a start today. But we had a conversation," the manager explained. The plan was to manage his minutes due to high running stats from the previous match, aiming for a 30 to 35 minute appearance to keep him fresh for Tuesday. Morrison came on and set up Barry's second goal, suggesting the plan worked.
The fitness of Santos and Bannan will be closely monitored in the coming days. Their absence would force Pedersen to reshuffle his lineup for a tricky away game. Wycombe will be looking for their first win of the campaign when they host Wednesday.
For Wycombe, this represents a chance to climb the table against a side possibly missing influential figures. Wednesday then face another away trip to Peterborough United, making squad management vital. The outcome of Tuesday's game could hinge on those late fitness tests. Fans can check the latest team news and player availability on our dedicated injuries section.
