Michael Smith is ruled out of tomorrow’s trip to MK Dons.
With Lee Gregory suspended, the striker was expected to make his full Wednesday league debut but Darren Moore said today that the ex-Rotherham man has been sidelined with “a niggly injury”.
It’s a big blow for the Owls, with the fans eager to see Smith in action up front after he hit 20-plus goals for the Millers on their way to promotion last season.
Moore said: “He’s picked up a little niggly injury, we’re assessing it and we’re not risking things with him at the moment.
“We’re taking every precaution with him and don’t want it to turn into a big deal.
“We want him to be available for the course of the season and want to keep the injury from turning into something substantial.”
Callum Paterson looks a possible replacement up front after missing last week’s opener through injury.
Moore also reflected on last Saturday’s 3-3 home draw with Portsmouth, which saw Wednesday one-up and in total charge in the first half but then having to fight back from behind to earn a late point.
He said: “We have talked about the need to stay on our game with consistency.
“The first half was very good for us in terms of creativity, controlling the game and nullifying Portsmouth.
“The only positive from the second half was the character and spirit we showed to come back. A game that we then looked like losing we managed to come out of with a point.
“Concentration has got to be absolutely pinpoint for the 90 minutes and we have spoken about this. The performance was a reflection of how we did in each half and how we were a little indecisive in the second half.
”Last week also served as a little reminder that in this division, no matter what club you are, your reputation stands for nothing.”
Wednesday will be backed by 6,000-plus travelling fans against an MK Dons side who opened their league campaign with a 1-0 defeat at Cambridge.