Injury updates as Owls seek return to form

Steven Fletcher could well make his return to the squad against Hull City at Hillsborough on New Year’s Day … but Liam Palmer is ruled out.

Fletcher has been training this week as he continues to recover from the illness which has forced him out of the last three games and Garry Monk is hopeful the striker will be ready to rejoin the squad.

However, Palmer is still struggling with an ankle injury following the reckless challenge by Cardiff’s Junior Hoilett on Sunday and, while the swelling on the ankle has gone down slightly, Monk said the defender won’t make the Hull match.

Moses Odubajo could be a straight replacement for Palmer but Monk may switch Dominic Iorfa to right back and reintroduce Julian Borner into central defence.

Two successive defeats over the Christmas period have seen us slip back to sixth in the play-off places and Monk says he is looking for us to get back to winning ways as quickly as possible.

The Owls boss felt Wednesday showed an improved performance against Cardiff, compared to the Boxing Day defeat at Stoke, adding: “We have had two disappointing results, we know that, we know how these setbacks can happen, this is the Championship and every team is going through it

“However, what you want to try to do when you have those setbacks is get back on track as quickly as possible and not let it fester and carry on, that is the key.”

Also on the injury front, Monk said Massimo Luongo is back in training after missing out against Cardiff, following his head injury sustained at Stoke.

Fernando Forestieri (knee) is expected to be back training on grass next week while  Keiren Westwood (shoulder) is still ruled out.

 

 

 

 

 

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