Sheffield Wednesday have been boosted by the news that key pair George Byers and Liam Palmer should be fit for the crucial clash with Fleetwood Town.
The Lowdown: Huge game for Owls
The Owls were beaten 1-0 away to Wycombe Wanderers on Saturday afternoon, in what was a damaging defeat in the League One promotion battle.
The loss leaves Darren Moore’s side in seventh place and outside the playoff places ahead of Tuesday evening’s massive trip to struggling Fleetwood.
Wednesday had to make do without both Byers and Palmer for the Wycombe game – they didn’t come off the substitutes’ bench – with the pair key players this season, having started a combined 54 league matches.
Will Sheffield Wednesday earn promotion?
Yes, of course!
No, not good enough!
The Latest: Key duo return
Speaking to the media on Saturday [via Football League World], however, Moore confirmed that he expects the duo to return to the fold at Fleetwood, having rested them at Adams Park:
“It has been a big week. The likes of George and Liam Palmer have played twice this week and we decided to rotate. Now we get them back and ready for Tuesday.
“We have suffered a lot of injuries this season from over misuse and fatigue and tiredness from games. I was able to rejuggle the pack and get ready for Tuesday.”
The Verdict: Massive boost for Wednesday
This is a huge boost for anyone of an Owls persuasion, given the enormity of Tuesday’s potentially make-or-break trip to Highbury.
Victory there would leave playoff destiny in Wednesday’s hands, taking them above Plymouth Argyle and Wycombe, and possibly Sunderland, too, if they don’t win at home to Rotherham on Tuesday.
Both Byers and Palmer would surely both be in Moore’s strongest possible XI and them being back in the team enhances the Owls’ hopes of securing a top-six place, ahead of the final game against Portsmouth at Hillsborough next weekend.
Byers has brought quality and poise to Wednesday’s midfield, scoring five league goals, while Palmer is a model of consistency, having now made 342 appearances for the club.
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