Sheffield Wednesday boss Jos Luhukay has confirmed that he’s now not expecting either Kieran Lee or Gary Hooper to return before the turn of 2019.
Midfielder Lee is out with a knee injury after the hip problem that has plagued the 30-year-old and the last time fans saw him in action was early last December.
Fellow 30-year-old, but striker Hooper was last seen on Boxing Day last December although he has now been hit with a groin problem after making progress in his return.
With long-term injuries sadly further breakdowns aren’t uncommon as players slowly begin building their fitness levels back up but it’s certainly not going to do anything for those fans who are sick to death of our troublesome walking wounded list.
Sheffield Star journo Dom Howson took to social media yesterday.
Jos Luhukay tells me Kieran Lee and Gary Hooper will not play again this calendar year. The pair are receiving physio treatment at the moment. JL hopes they will be available in January. #SWFC
— Dom Howson (@domhowson) October 22, 2018
Reactions amongst fans to the news was probably pretty predictable.
Seems strange. Hooper played 2 games for the under 23’s in a week and picked up a ‘little setback’ which has knocked him back for another 3 months?
What goes off in our treatment rooms? #SWFC
— Josh Bradshaw (@Jaybe07) October 22, 2018
Sad news. Two of our best players out for two years. What players they have been for us, but gone in the summer you think.
— Andy McElwaine (@andymcelwaine) October 22, 2018
Looking less likely they will play again for us, very Injury prone now and no one will buy them. Release them when contract up
— stuart joszko (@stuartjoszko) October 22, 2018
Kieran Lee one of the biggest bargains in the history of the club. What a player he has been for us, so sad this is how it seeks to be ending. Got to get him in a coaching role
— Charles Ducksbury (@cducksbury) October 22, 2018
Should offer Lee a chance to retire and a backroom role … he'll have been out for two years he's not coming back
— David (@djotter91) October 22, 2018
Sweet Jesus such a shame. On there day simply incredible players..They may get some games before the end of the season but simply can't offer new contracts to these two…big earners as well #swfc
— Ricardo Mongo (@Richardmongo200) October 22, 2018
The trend in the comments is the main worry, will they be two new players come the New Year and like the proverbial new signings or are those particular doors now closed? Time will tell. If they get their fitness back and are prepared to take reduced deals that would keep the door open at least.
In other great injury news, Sam Winnall has picked up a hamstring problem and is out for another couple of weeks following his Under 23 run out last Saturday.
