Sheffield Wednesday will be without Kieran Lee and Adam Reach ahead of Saturday’s meeting with Brentford, Garry Monk confirmed in his pre-match press conference.
Julian Borner (hamstring) is doubtful ahead of the clash at Griffin Park, but Moses Odubajo and Massimo Luongo could feature after returning to training this week.
Lee picked up a groin injury in the Owls’ FA Cup defeat to Manchester City on Wednesday and was forced off in the second half. Monk said: “Kieran has a slight pull in the groin so he won’t be available for the weekend. Hopefully he will be back after the weekend.” The 31-year-old midfielder may return in time to face Nottingham Forest on March 14.
Reach has been struggling with a toe injury since early-February and may not return to full training until next week. Monk said: “We are probably looking at some point next week with Adam Reach,” but it remains to be seen if the 27-year-old winger will be fit enough to face Forest the following Saturday.
Borner was also taken off early against City due to a tight hamstring but Monk is hopeful of him returning. He said: “Julian was just tightness so we’re very hopeful he should be okay. We’ll check on him and see how he feels.” Time will tell whether the 29-year-old will start against Brentford.
Odubajo is back in training and should make the matchday squad. Liam Palmer is expected to start at right-back, so the 26-year-old may have to settle for a place on the bench. He’ll be short of match fitness after five weeks out with a groin injury, so Monk will manage his minutes carefully.
Luongo is also back training with the first-team and should feature in some capacity on Saturday. The 27-year-old has been out of action since mid-January due to suspension and a calf injury, so he’s likely to be on the bench and only called upon sparingly. Barry Bannan and Joey Pelupessy could start in midfield.
Ahead of Saturday’s trip to Griffin Park, Wednesday sit 12th in the Championship with 48 points from 36 games, having won just one of their last nine. Brentford are fifth in the table with 57 points but are winless in their last five.