Sheffield Wednesday captain Barry Bannan will miss Wednesday’s Carabao Cup trip to Bolton Wanderers following his dismissal in the season-opening defeat at Leicester City.
The Owls’ talisman was making his 448th appearance for the club and captaining the side for the first competitive outing since signing a new contract.
However, his afternoon ended prematurely after two quickfire bookings in the second half, the second for a challenge on Harry Winks that left many inside the ground questioning the referee’s decision.
One-Match Ban to Be Served in the Cup
Wednesday confirmed on Monday morning that Bannan’s suspension applies to the first round of the Carabao Cup, meaning he will be unavailable for the midweek visit to the Toughsheet Community Stadium but free to return for the Championship clash against Stoke City at Hillsborough on Saturday.
“Owls skipper Barry Bannan will miss the club’s trip to Bolton on Wednesday evening through suspension,” a club statement read. “The Scot was sent off in yesterday’s season-opener against Leicester after two quickfire yellow cards in the closing stages. His one-match ban renders him unavailable for the Owls’ midweek visit… After serving his suspension, Bannan will be back available for our first home game of the campaign against Stoke on Saturday.”
While the decision drew criticism from supporters and pundits alike, Bannan was quick to front up after the final whistle. In a post to social media, he addressed the travelling fans directly:
“Wow, that away end was special. Apologies for the red card, killed us, but the boys were brilliant and we will get stronger.”
Key Role Despite Setback
This was only the third dismissal of Bannan’s senior career, although he has served multiple bans for accumulated yellow cards across his time in English football. With the Owls already facing a demanding fixture list, the midweek cup match could provide valuable opportunities for fringe players to impress and stake a claim for greater involvement.
Wednesday will aim to bounce back from the narrow defeat to Leicester, where despite being reduced to ten men they pushed the Foxes hard in the closing stages. A positive result in the cup could restore momentum ahead of Stoke’s visit, when Bannan is expected to return straight into the starting XI.
Writer’s View
Although the timing of Bannan’s red card was damaging to Sheffield Wednesday’s hopes at Leicester, his swift apology speaks volumes about his sense of responsibility as captain. The ban may be a blessing in disguise if it allows the 34-year-old to recharge before an important home fixture, while also giving younger squad members a stage in the Carabao Cup. The Owls’ season will not be defined by a single dismissal, but avoiding further disciplinary setbacks will be crucial if they are to compete consistently in both league and cup competitions.
