George Byers has been ruled out for the rest of the season which means if, as expected, we have to tackle the division one play-offs then it will be without the influential midfielder.
Byers has been missing since damaging a hamstring at Portsmouth last month and his absence has coincided with Wednesday’s alarming slump in form since then.
With two matches remaining for the top three, we go into tomorrow’s game at Shrewsbury in third place, trailing leaders Plymouth by five points and second-placed Ipswich by four so, even if we were to win our final two fixtures, they both need just two points apiece to ensure their place in next season’s Championship.
That would also mean the play-offs for us for the second successive season – and without Byers – after Darren Moore broke the news of the injury blow at today’s press conference, the player also confirming his absence this afternoon.
There was better news on our other long-term injury absentee, striker Josh Windass. He has been back in full training this week following his ankle problem but Moore said they will leave it up to the player to decide when he feels ready to return.
The Owls boss also confirmed that Akin Famewo will miss the rest of the season with a muscle injury, along with Mallik Wilks who has had surgery for a muscle problem.
Both Plymouth and Ipswich are at home tomorrow, the former hosting Burton and the Tractor Boys entertaining Exeter. Fourth-placed Barnsley, who sit five points behind us with two matches remaining, are away to MK Dons.