Sheffield Wednesday manager Danny Röhl is hopeful that defender Akin Famewo will be available for selection after the international break, following a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
Boost for the Owls’ Defence
The 26-year-old, who last featured for the Owls in October, has made steady progress in recent weeks. Famewo has taken significant steps in his recovery, including appearances for the club’s U21 side to regain match fitness.
With Wednesday set to return to Championship action against Cardiff City in two weeks, Röhl is optimistic that the former Charlton Athletic man will be ready to contribute. However, he is hoping that Famewo’s return will be an addition to his defensive options rather than a necessary replacement for an injured player.
Concerns Over Defensive Depth
The injury list continues to pose challenges for the Owls. Max Lowe suffered a setback during the Steel City derby against Sheffield United, while Dominic Iorfa also appeared to be struggling towards the latter stages of the match.
“It looks okay for Akin, but you saw out there at the end with Dom that he was starting to stretch,” Röhl told The Star. “But it is what it is, this position has been a bit hard work for us this season—one comes, one goes out, one comes back, and another goes out. We just have to cross our fingers for Max that it’s not the worst one.”
Akin Famewo Career
Famewo progressed through Luton Town’s academy, signing his first professional contract in 2016. He made six appearances during the 2016–17 season but missed much of the campaign due to injury. Famewo joined Grimsby Town on loan for the 2018–19 season before being recalled by Luton in January 2019. Later that month, he signed for Norwich City on a one-and-a-half-year deal. Famewo gained experience with loan spells at St Mirren and Charlton Athletic, where he spent two seasons, before returning to Norwich in 2022 following their relegation.
On 6 July 2022, Famewo joined Sheffield Wednesday for an undisclosed fee. He made his debut in a 1–0 win over Milton Keynes Dons but suffered a long-term injury. Famewo returned to action in December and scored his first goal for Wednesday in a 2–1 win over Bristol Rovers on 18 April 2023.
Writer’s View
Röhl’s cautious optimism about Famewo’s return comes at a crucial time for Sheffield Wednesday, who are looking to solidify their defensive options for the final stretch of the season. Injuries have tested the Owls’ resilience throughout the campaign, but if Famewo can return to full fitness, he could play a pivotal role in stabilising the backline. With key fixtures ahead, Wednesday will hope to have as many fit defenders as possible for the run-in.
