Sheffield Wednesday were dealt a fresh blow on Thursday as two senior players were absent from pre-season training.
Callum Paterson and Akin Famewo’s continued uncertainty adds to the mounting problems at Hillsborough, and both were absent from training yesterday.
Double Absence Fuels Exit Talk
The Owls’ return to pre-season was never likely to be straightforward, given the backdrop of unpaid wages, infrastructure issues, and a transfer embargo. But the absence of Paterson and Famewo—two of the club’s promotion heroes—has further deepened concerns over squad stability heading into 2025/26.
Both players are out of contract in days, and while the club have offered new deals, neither has put pen to paper. The Star reports that neither player was present at Middlewood Road as testing began ahead of the new campaign. Their absence—unlike that of Barry Bannan, who was pictured arriving—raises questions about whether they will be part of Danny Röhl’s squad at all, assuming Röhl remains at the helm.
Interest from other clubs has been reported for both, and with negotiations reportedly stagnant, this no-show could be the clearest indication yet that Wednesday will lose two experienced heads from a squad already under pressure.
The pair have made a combined 259 appearances for the Owls, with Paterson offering versatility and experience since arriving in 2020, and Famewo becoming a key figure at the back since his move from Norwich City in 2022. Losing them, particularly in the context of a transfer ban, would present a significant challenge in terms of both depth and leadership.
It’s also unclear whether either player is among the group yet to be paid for May. That, combined with the club’s registration embargo—which remains in place until all outstanding payments are resolved—adds another layer of complexity to any hopes of retention or recruitment.
Wednesday’s pre-season camp has begun under a cloud, not only because of ongoing financial issues, but also because manager Röhl was also absent, amid reports of continued discussions over his exit. In his absence, preparations have started under interim arrangements, with only limited fitness testing possible due to delays in the upgrade works at the training ground.
Writer’s View
This double absence is more than just a scheduling footnote—it’s a red flag. With new contracts unsigned and interest from other clubs rumoured, it increasingly looks like both Paterson and Famewo could walk away for nothing. For a club locked out of the transfer market and still mired in off-field uncertainty, losing two reliable first-teamers would be disastrous.
Whether the club can act quickly enough to salvage these situations—or whether they even have the resources to do so—remains to be seen. But the longer this drags on, the louder the alarm bells will ring.
