Sheffield Wednesday’s academy side have endured a tricky opening to the season, with several key players regularly called up to first-team duty. Many of the Owls’ rising stars have already featured in Championship matchday squads, leaving the youth team stretched for numbers in the Professional Development League.
Notable youngsters such as Ernie Weaver and George Brown have even stepped into starting roles at senior level, which has added to the challenges faced by the club’s development squad.
Today, however, brings some much-needed positives. The young Owls are set to face South Yorkshire rivals Barnsley at the Tykes’ training ground, looking to bounce back from their recent defeat to Bournemouth.
Goalkeeper Killian Barrett is back between the sticks after recovering from injury, while midfielder Bruno Fernandes also returns following the setback he picked up against Bolton Wanderers in the Carabao Cup earlier this season.
Sixteen-year-olds Yisa Alao and Will Grainger are both included in the starting XI, while Aodhan Sopala re-joins the squad fresh from international duty with Canada’s U18 side.
There will also be a chance for two familiar trialists to make an impression. Josh Bayliss has been handed a starting berth, while Alex Asaba takes a place on the bench as both continue their push to earn permanent spots at Middlewood Road.
Kick-off is at 2pm this afternoon, with the youngsters eyeing a morale-boosting win ahead of next Monday’s mini Steel City derby clash at Hillsborough.
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