Sheffield Wednesday’s fears have been confirmed, with defender Di’Shon Bernard expected to miss the remainder of the season after further medical assessments revealed the full extent of his injury.
The 24-year-old was forced off in the first half of Saturday’s defeat to West Bromwich Albion, and the prognosis has only worsened since.
Season Over for Bernard?
The Jamaica international’s departure from the pitch at The Hawthorns was an early sign of trouble, with Bernard twice going down off the ball before leaving the field in visible distress. Manager Danny Röhl initially described the injury as “serious,” and days later, the outlook remains bleak.
The loss of Bernard is a hammer blow to Wednesday, given his consistency at the heart of their defence. The former Manchester United academy graduate has been a key figure in the Owls’ backline, starting all but one Championship match this season when available.
While an official confirmation is yet to be made, reports suggest Bernard’s injury could rule him out for the remainder of the campaign. This leaves Röhl with a selection headache, particularly with other defensive absences already affecting the squad.
Defensive Woes Pile Up
With Bernard now sidelined, Sheffield Wednesday’s options at the back are looking increasingly stretched. Akin Famewo and Dominic Iorfa have also been recovering from long-term injuries, though both are making steady progress in their rehabilitation.
Röhl has previously hinted at a potential return date for the pair, targeting the mid-March international break as a possible timeframe for their return to full training. The club is even considering organising a behind-closed-doors friendly during the break to help the defenders regain match fitness.
Meanwhile, the situation regarding captain Barry Bannan remains unchanged, with further assessments planned to determine when the influential midfielder can return. He was absent for the defeat at West Brom and is not expected to feature in Wednesday’s clash against Swansea City.
Writer’s View
Losing Bernard at such a critical stage of the season is a devastating setback for Sheffield Wednesday. His absence not only weakens an already depleted defence but also removes a player who has been a near ever-present in the side. Röhl’s options are now severely limited, and with crucial fixtures ahead, Wednesday will need to find a way to tighten up defensively without one of their most reliable performers.
