Owls concern over injury scare in build up to the new season

Last updated : 09 July 2010 By C. Morris

Sheffield Wednesday have been conducting their training camp in Austria this week and will play their first pre-season friendly against local side USK Anif tomorrow.

There will however be one key member of the squad missing from Saturday’s line up and there is speculation that he may miss the start of the new season. Goalkeeper Lee Grant underwent surgery on a shoulder injury following the end of the 2009/10 season and he is currently undergoing rehabilitation and is not in a position to resume full training with the rest of the squad.

With regards to whether the Owls player of the season will be fit for the start of the League One campaign manager Alan Irvine is quoted in the Sheffield Star newspaper as saying, “It’s difficult to tell until he’s seen the specialist next week or the week after.”

Although Goalkeepers generally may not need the rigours of a full pre-season fitness workout as much as outfield players it will be a big setback if Grant is not fit come August. Youngsters Richard O’Donnell and Arron Jameson are both set to be given time between the sticks in Austria but neither have any competitive first team experience for the Owls whilst Grant, an ever-present in the side last season has been one of the club’s most consistent performers over the past two seasons.