Latest Derby County news from DerbyshireLive brings you the latest ahead of the game at Hillsborough as the Rams travel north on Monday night
Hillsborough (Image: Burton Mail)
Sheffield Wednesday have been handed a blow for their clash against Derby County after their request to have Yan Valery available for the game at Hillsborough was rejected.
Valery has been called up by Tunisia for the forthcoming African Cup of Nations tournament while Zimbabwe have named Sean Fusire in their squad for the competition which kicks off on December 21.
FIFA rules state that clubs must release players involved in the competition no later than December 15 – the same day the Owls face Derby in the Championship.
Wednesday had made a request to the football federations of Zimbabwe and to see if they would be granted their availability for the game against the Rams before then linking up with their squads a day later.
But Tunisia have rejected that appeal meaning Valery will not be involved for the Championship clash and Zimbabwe are expected to have the same stance over Fusire.
That has come at a bad time for Wednesday whose new signing Nathan Redmond has already picked up an injury and is out of Monday’s game.
Wednesday are also sweating over the fitness of Barry Bannan who pulled out of the game against Watford in midweek because of a groin injury.
Nathaniel Chalobah and Pierce Charles have made their returns from injury but Olaf Kobacki and George Brown are yet to make their comeback with the duo expected to be involved later this month.
Wednesday are currently bottom of the table in the Championship in what has been a torturous season with the club currently in administration and look destined for a return to League One.
However, the club has attracted plenty of interest from potential saviours with Mike Ashley recently having submitted a £20m offer for the club.
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