Sheffield Wednesday will be without Massimo Luongo against Birmingham City on Saturday after Garry Monk confirmed the midfielder has “picked up a secondary injury with his calf”.
Luongo has been out of action since mid-January due to suspension and muscle problems, causing him to miss Wednesday’s last six games in all competitions.
The 27-year-old hasn’t been in full training this week either, so he’s no closer to returning for the Owls. Monk explained in Thursday’s pre-match press conference: “Massimo is still not there, he picked up a secondary injury with his calf so he’s not over that, he hasn’t been out on the pitches this week.”
Luongo has made 21 appearances in all competitions this season, scoring two goals. Injury problems have chipped away at his playing time, forcing Monk to rely on Barry Bannan, Kieran Lee, Joey Pelupessy and Sam Hutchinson in midfield.
But now Hutchinson has been exiled from the first-team while Pelupessy was hooked after underperforming in Wednesday’s 3-0 defeat to Reading (February 15), the Owls manager doesn’t have a lot of options in the engine room.
Wednesday have missed Luongo this season. The Australian international has started nine league games and only been on the losing team twice. The Owls have lost three times in the five games without him.
