The Sheffield Wednesday forward has yet to play against Sheffield United while wearing Owls colours.
Jos Luhukay has ruled Fernando Forestieri out of Sheffield Wednesday’s trip to Sheffield United next Friday.
Forestieri last appeared in the Owls’ 2-1 win at Bristol City early last month, and has seen his side lose their last three matches in his absence.
It was hoped that the Argentina-born forward, who has top scored in each of his two full seasons at Sheffield Wednesday, would return in time for the season’s first Steel City Derby at Bramall Lane.
But speaking via the Owls’ official Facebook page at a press conference on Friday, manager Luhukay confirmed: “No, it is not possible that he will play against Sheffield United.
“First we must hope that he maybe comes back next week to the team training, but he is now a couple of weeks not on the training field and also not in the shape, or something else.”
Wednesday are also without another of their forwards, Marco Matias, for the trip across Sheffield, although Luhukay added: “We have today positive news that Marco Matias came back for the first time to the team training.
“So both players are hopefully, after the international break, maybe they are very close again and they are ready to play for the team.”
Forestieri has yet to feature for Sheffield Wednesday against Sheffield United, who top the Championship after 15 matches.
The 28-year-old has scored three goals from five league starts this season, while Matias has scored twice and assisted once from seven.
How badly have Wednesday missed Forestieri and Matias?
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
