Sheffield Wednesday boss Henrik Pedersen issues update on Leeds United's Harry Gray and makes transfer claim
Henrik Pedersen addressed key topics following Sheffield Wednesday’s defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers
Sheffield Wednesday manager Henrik Pedersen conceded he did not know the extent of the injury suffered by Harry Gray following his side’s Carabao Cup loss to Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The 17-year-old, who is on loan at Hillsborough from Leeds United, was forced off as the Owls bowed out in the second round with a 2-0 home defeat last night (August 25).
He went down clutching his head and appeared to be in discomfort as he left the pitch in the 86th minute.
Henrik Pedersen issues Harry Gray and Sil Swinkels updates
Post-match, Pedersen told BBC Radio Sheffield: “He is okay but we don’t know if the nose is broken. That’s why we went in immediately. I think it’s the nose, there was no problem with the head.”
There was also a concern regarding defender Sil Swinkels, who moved gingerly as he made way for Max Lowe on the 70-minute mark. Pedersen claimed Swinkels had complained of tightness but there was not yet clarity regarding the severity of the issue.
When players do pick up injury issues, it only underlines the need for Wednesday to bolster their ranks further ahead of the transfer window deadline on Tuesday (September 1).
Sheffield Wednesday transfer latest
Ipswich Town forward Ali Al-Hamadi appears set to join the Owls on loan, but Pedersen stopped short of confirming an imminent arrival.
He said: “I don’t know how far we are with everything right now. We are working hard to get a new striker.
“It could be a physical, strong striker, who likes to run behind and is a good header - a striker who is also good in our pressing and in the transition.
“I think we have two strikers now, also Dev [Moses], number three, they are strong between. We want to force them to run behind and we have seen Jamal [Lowe] score from behind. We have also seen Mason [Burstow] today run behind. We are searching for a third striker who is maybe a little bit more physical than the two others for the simple football. I think they will be a good match together.”
Wednesday are operating under financial restrictions, the frustrating symptoms of a Dejphon Chansiri era hangover.
Pedersen, however, has insisted the Owls are looking “everywhere” in their quest to strengthen further.
He said: “I think we are close to what we can get in. Still, we have some very, very tough restrictions. Before we can do something, we need money, and right now the money is small. We are looking everywhere we can find.”