Sheffield Wednesday are desperate for the return of their absent baker’s dozen.
The Beast from the East is doing Sheffield Wednesday’s preparations no favours.
The Owls have played six games in 18 days and have three more to come between now and next Saturday, with an injury list 12-strong.
George Hirst’s name can also be added to the missing, as he works on his fitness after around eight months of minimal football.
Hirst returned from exile for last week’s under-23 fixture against Leeds United, impressing with a goal and an assist in a narrow defeat for Wednesday.
And his comeback was scheduled to continue on Thursday, with Burnley the visitors at Middlewood Road – a fixture was has since fallen victim to the freezing temperatures.
Given that Owls manager Jos Luhukay likes to have his players match-ready before they are considered for first-team selection, it is unlikely that Hirst will feature in next week’s games against Ipswich Town and Bolton Wanderers – as he may have done with another U23 game under his belt.
And the returns of Sam Hutchinson and Joost van Aken may also be delayed by snow, with Luhukay suggesting that they too were on course for U23 action earlier this week.
Still, the weather could yet to Wednesday a solid, if it puts Saturday’s first-team trip to Bristol City on hold until a time when the Owls are much better equipped.
Can Sheffield Wednesday overcome their injury troubles and stay in the Championship?
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