Carlos Carvalhal had good news – and not so good news – on the injury front as we prepare for Saturday’s home clash with Derby and the latest challenge in the fight for the play-off places.
With just three games remaining for most of the Championship sides, Carvalhal confirmed that Kieran Lee is available for selection for the game, if the head coach decides to bring him back after almost four months out with a hip problem.
However, Fernando Forestieri is doubtful after returning against Cardiff on Good Friday following his knee injury and Sam Hutchinson continues to be ruled out as he recovers from his calf problem.
Carvalhal said Forestieri’s injury does not require further surgery and is not a serious one but that Wednesday must be careful about managing his situation at such a vital part of the season.
He added: “We don’t know yet if he can be involved tomorrow or not.”
Derby come to Hillsborough as very much our bogey side … Wednesday failing to win against them in any of our last 17 meetings.
Our last success against the Rams was a 2-0 away win in April 2006, with goals from Marcus Tudgay and Leon Best, and it was November of the previous year when we last beat them at S6, Chris Brunt and David Graham on the scoresheet in a 2-1 victory.
As far as our play-off rivals are concerned tomorrow, Fulham – trailing us by two points and one place – go to fourth-placed Huddersfield, who are three points clear of the Owls and have a game in hand.
Meanwhile, seventh-placed Leeds, also two points behind us, are at a Burton side still needing points in their bid to avoid relegation and Reading, who sit in third spot and four points in front of Wednesday, travel to a Forest side also desperate for a result at the wrong end of the table.