Cooper faces assessment as Wednesday’s absences mount before Doncaster derby

Sheffield Wednesday face a depleted squad for their South Yorkshire derby at Doncaster Rovers on Saturday 24 October, with suspensions and injury concerns limiting their options.

Liam Cooper will be assessed to establish how much he can play over the coming week, according to The Star. The defender completed the 2-0 defeat at Notts County despite showing fatigue late in the match.

Callum Slattery is suspended after collecting his fifth booking of the campaign at Meadow Lane. Jamal Lowe will also miss the derby following his dismissal for a challenge on Jacob Beadeau early in the second half.

Di’Shon Bernard is unlikely to feature at Doncaster. The severity of his injury has yet to be confirmed, although he was moving reasonably well after the match.

Defensive options under pressure

Ricardo Santos and Sil Swinkels are also absent, though Swinkels could be nearing a return. Jordi Liongola has not yet been cleared following a hamstring problem, while back-up youngster Cole McGhee is injured.

Max Lowe has recently returned. Sean Fusire was again outside the squad at Meadow Lane and has yet to play in League One this season after earlier fitness problems.

Manager Pedersen has warned that some players cannot complete consecutive full matches during a schedule of five games in 15 days. Cooper and Barry Bannan were taken off early in the win over AFC Wimbledon to reduce their workloads, but Cooper then played the full match against Notts County.

George Brown remains in recovery. Goalkeeper Joe Lumley will miss the Doncaster trip because of a rib injury, with Ashley Maynard-Brewer having deputised.

Source: The Star