Owls in a sweat over Forestieri
JOS Luhukay said his Sheffield Wednesday players “did not have a good feeling” after last week’s 1-1 stalemate against Hull. They will feel a great deal worse if – as is feared – Fernando Forestieri does not shake off a groin strain in time for today’s trip to Brentford. “Fernando is a question,” admitted the Owls boss. “He had a problem on his groin but we still hope that he can play on Sunday. He had problems after the game against Hull. We must be careful now but I hope that Fernando is an option for us at Brentford.” Forestieri has long been a talismanic figure for the Owls, but with a transfer embargo precluding fresh signings, the Italian is now more crucial than ever. It is not just his output, though that is impressive enough. Forestieri has scored 32 goals in 89 games for the Owls, despite playing in the No.10 position. Of Wednesday’s three Championship goals this term, the 28-year-old has scored two and made the other. Of greater benefit to Luhukay, however, is the way Forestieri’s pace, movement and sheer threat can mangle an opposition formation or create space for his team-mates. The stats are stark. Since arriving from Watford in the summer of 2015, Forestieri has missed 54 of a possible 143 Championship games - including the majority of last season following knee surgery in September. With him, the Owls have a 46 per cent win rate. Without him, that figure dips to a touch below 26 per cent. “He is important,” said Luhukay, who is without injured defender Joost Van Aken as his side seek to build on Thursday’s Carabao Cup victory over Sunderland with a first league win of the campaign. “We all know that he makes some goals and assists. Last year he came back after a long time out but now he is going in the right direction - for himself and for us.” With that in mind, Luhukay may err on the side of caution if there is even the slightest risk of an injury to his star man. Off the pitch, the Owls have been boosted by the news their transfer embargo has been lifted and they can now bring in loan signings before August 31.