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In just three days’ time, Sheffield Wednesday will take to the pitch in the Championship for the first time since May.
While that is no different to any other club in the division, the journey that the Owls have been on since the final day of last season has been pretty extraordinary and desperate.
Supporters will not be happy to see their new away kit in action, but players will take to the pitch at the King Power Stadium after any possibility of a boycott was quashed.
Nevertheless, Sheffield Wednesday cannot register players who have signed new contracts and now there are worries about Barry Bannan’s position ahead of this weekend.
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Henrik Pedersen explains Barry Bannan’s situation at Sheffield Wednesday
Bannan had been linked with moves away from the Owls throughout the summer, with Wrexham one of those looking to bring the veteran midfielder in after his last contract expired.
However, he continued to train with the club and penned a new deal last week. Yet, new manager Henrik Pedersen remains uncertain over whether he can play for Sheffield Wednesday on Sunday or not.
He said (via: The Star): “I will be honest, I don’t know yet. I know people in the club are trying to find out but I do not have an up-to-date situation on when he will or not.
“It means a lot to a lot of us, that he signed a new contract. If we start with the fans, that he signed again has given them hope, trust and belief that the future will be good here. If you take it at the player level, he is our captain and it means a lot to the player group that he is here. It gives them trust, belief and some stability. It gives us such a big influence in the dressing room.
“For me personally, Barry means a lot on the human side. But he is also a great, great player. We can all be happy at all levels that he stayed here together with the other players.”
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Barry Bannan will be itching to be involved on Sunday
Supporters have been left in the dark for too many times this summer, and the situation involving Bannan is yet another frustration that they do not need.
The EFL have sent out a statement regarding Sheffield Wednesday, but several questions remain unanswered, including whether the North Stand will be open against Norwich City in a week’s time.
Bannan himself will be doing all he can to ensure that he can feature against Leicester this weekend, and the Owls will need his experience.
Pedersen has a very limited squad as it is, and losing a key player will be even more tough to take as we get closer to the first Championship fixture of 2025/26.