The new Sheffield Wednesday manager was without 11 senior players for Friday’s Steel City derby.
Jos Luhukay has suggested that Sheffield Wednesday may have to go with what they’ve got against Carlisle United and Cardiff City this week.
The new Owls boss only had 16 senior players available for Friday night’s 0-0 draw at Sheffield United, with Keiren Westwood, Jack Hunt, Tom Lees, Joost van Aken, Sam Hutchinson, Almen Abdi, Kieran Lee, Barry Bannan, Fernando Forestieri, Steven Fletcher and Gary Hooper all absent.
Under-23 pair Sean Clare and Jordan Thorniley were named on Wednesday’s bench for the very first time at Bramall Lane, but both are cup-tied for Carlisle’s visit to Hillsborough on Tuesday, while captain Glenn Loovens will also miss that game, as well as Saturday’s at home to Cardiff, after his derby red card.
Speaking at a media conference, which was broadcast via Wednesday’s official Facebook page on Monday, Luhukay avoided putting timescales on any of the Owls’ missing men, and added, when asked about Fletcher in particular: “Yeah, he is no option.
“All the players with injuries are an option for tomorrow and also not for Saturday.”
The Dutchman added that Fernando Forestieri, who has ended each of the past two campaigns as Sheffield Wednesday’s top scorer, may be two months away from a return, after missing the last four already.
With the transfer window open, Sheffield Wednesday’s squad could yet be bolstered by new arrivals this week, but Luhukay refused to be drawn on the matter, preferring instead to talk about those currently at his disposal.
After Cardiff, the Owls have a 10-day break until their next league fixture, although they will host either Reading or Stevenage the Saturday in between if they overcome Carlisle.
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