Sheffield Wednesday defender Ernie Weaver is set to miss months of action as he undergoes surgery on an ankle issue, reports Andy Giddings.
Sheffield Wednesday entered the 2025/26 campaign hoping to field a squad built around more experienced first-team players. However, ongoing financial troubles and a series of transfer embargoes severely limited SWFC’s options in the market.
The club managed to bring in just two players during the summer window, loan signings Ethan Horvath and Harry Amass. With recruitment restricted, manager Henrik Pedersen has turned to the club’s academy for much-needed reinforcements.
Image courtesy of: CRAIG BROUGH/REUTERS.
Youngsters have frequently filled the bench, and several have even earned places in the starting lineup. One of those emerging talents is teenage defender Ernie Weaver, whose standout displays have quickly drawn attention.
Sadly for SWFC and Weaver, the defender is now set for a spell on the sidelines. According to BBC Sheffield reporter Andy Giddings, via X, Weaver is to have surgery on an ankle issue.
The defender had been playing through the issue at the start of this season. However, he is set to be out ‘for months’ in a massive blow to Sheffield Wednesday.
Ernie Weaver’s Sheffield Wednesday stats in the Championship – via FOTMob
Sheffield Wednesday will not be able to replace Weaver
Pedersen already has a bare bones squad to work with, but even with Weaver’s injury, he cannot make any additions. This is due to the transfer embargoes the club are currently placed under.
Image courtesy of: CRAIG BROUGH/REUTERS.
With six transfer embargoes currently listed, Wednesday cannot sign any more ‘permitted players’. Outside a window, clubs under embargo can only sign free agents when they have fewer than 16 permitted players, players with three or more league starts at a club’s current level or higher.
SWFC currently have 16 players who fit that mould in their squad. Therefore, they cannot make any moves for free agents, even with Weaver’s absence.
Time for another youngster to step up?
Sheffield Wednesday do have several more young defenders already in and around the first-team squad to replace Weaver. Due to the shortage of first-team players, SWFC do not have much choice but to trust the youth players.
Gabriel Otegbayo, Joe Emery and 16-year-old Yisa Alao could step in with Weaver’s absence. Otegbayo will be the most likely candidate as he already has 24 first-team appearances to his name.
Emery and Alao have both made their debuts for the club this season in the EFL Cup. However, they could be handed their league debuts now that their fellow youngster is set for a spell out.