Massimo Luongo has returned to training ahead of Sheffield Wednesday’s meeting with Nottingham Forest and may be in contention of making the squad on Saturday. It would be a big call by Garry Monk to select Luongo given his lack of football in recent weeks, but the Wednesday boss has already admitted that it’s needs must given their current situation.
The 27-year-old has made 21 appearances in all competitions this season, scoring two goals. His last outing came two months ago in Wednesday’s 5-0 defeat to Blackburn Rovers, however, so Luongo will be very short of match fitness. There’s no guarantee he’ll be in any condition to make the matchday squad on the weekend, but Monk is desperate due to a lack of viable options.
Sam Hutchinson has been frozen out of the first-team, Adam Reach missed the Brentford defeat due to injury, Alex Hunt is still too young and inexperienced, Kieran Lee missed the Brentford clash due to injury and Joey Pelupessy has been short of form. Monk doesn’t have the luxury of being able to name his best side due to availability and it’s killed Wednesday’s form.
Ahead of their meeting with Forest, the Owls are currently 15th in the Championship with 48 points from 37 games, having won just one of their last 11 league outings. They’re in danger of being sucked into the relegation battle if they can’t arrest the slide, but Forest are no slouches. The Reds are fifth in the table and have the third-best away record this season.
