Sheffield Wednesday’s Gary Hooper has been out of action for nine months.
Sheffield Wednesday manager Jos Luhukay has told reporters how Gary Hooper has had a setback in his recovery from injury, though it’s only expected to be a minor issue, the Sheffield Star report.
“Maybe he will be back training on Monday. For now, he has only treatment. When you are so long out, it is not easy to come back to 100 per cent. He has played twice – one time for 45 minutes, one time for 60. After the second game, he had the problem. It is one step back. Hopefully next week will be two forward,” Luhukay said.
Former Celtic striker Hooper hasn’t featured for the Owls since picking up a hip injury last December which then required surgery, prompting a lengthy spell on the side-lines.
Hooper missed the rest of last season and was hopeful of making a summer comeback for the new Championship campaign, but so far he has been frustrated in his attempts.
After featuring twice for the U23 side, the 30-year-old is now nursing a groin injury with Luhukay admitting he was scheduled to play 90 minutes against U23 rivals Sheffield United on Friday but that is now out of the question.
The Owls have certainly missed Hooper, what with the player recording an impressive 29 goals in 76 Championship games for the club since joining in 2015 – his goals-per-game record being second only to fellow forward Fernando Forestieri.
Aside from his goals, Hooper also plays a key role in linking the play and bringing fellow attacking players into the game, something which has been lacking so far this season as the Owls sit in mid table.
Luhukay will be desperate for Hooper to make a full recovery and slot back into the first-team, as his replacements Lucas Joao and Atdhe Nuhiu have often struggled with consistency in his absence.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
