Danny Rohl says the absence of Barry Bannan for tomorrow lunchtime’s home game with Preston is the opportunity for other players to step up and make their mark.
Bannan is suspended for the match after picking up his fifth booking of the season at Derby last weekend and Rohl has options as to who might take the skipper’s place as we eye a third successive Championship win.
Svante Ingelsson, Liam Palmer or Nathaniel Chalobah could get a starting place, although Rohl might feel it is a step too far and too quick for Chalobah after his lengthy injury lay-off before returning at Derby.
The manager added: “We have some good options and it is a good opportunity for others.”
On the plus side, Di’Shon Bernard is available to return to the defence after his one-match suspension as Wednesday look to build on a recent run of just one defeat in our last five league games, lifting us into 12th place on 25 points.
Preston, managed by ex-Owl Paul Heckingbottom, come to Hillsborough without a win in eight league games but having drawn six of those fixtures and are in 18th, having played 18 games and with 18 points.
Rohl said: “Preston are a team fighting for everything, physically strong, a good pressing team and it will be a new challenge.
“For us it is a big opportunity to take the next three points and we want to give that to our home fans.”
Looking at Wednesday’s current position, the manager added: “We have made good steps forward since the international break, we have had a good run. The table looks better but with 25 points you achieve nothing in the season.
“We have to be on the front foot and go forward and especially now at this Christmas time. At this moment we have 25 points and in the next four weeks we will be fighting for 24 points.
“So it is up to us to have good performances, push our limits and collect as many of those points as we can.”