Why Sheffield Wednesday will have Barry Bannan available against Stoke City despite Leicester City red card | OneFootball

Why Sheffield Wednesday will have Barry Bannan available against Stoke City despite Leicester City Red Card

Despite picking up a red card in Sunday's game away at Leicester City, Barry Bannan will be available for Sheffield Wednesday's next league fixture against Stoke City at Hillsborough on Saturday.

Bannan received his marching orders from referee Matt Donohue on 76 minutes, having accumulated two yellow cards in five second-half minutes.

The Sheffield Wednesday man left the action on Sunday with Wednesday holding on for a valuable point away at promotion-favourites Leicester, but the Owls could not hold on with Wout Faes heading home to send them back to Yorkshire empty-handed.

However, due to EFL rules, the Scotsman will serve his one-game suspension on Wednesday night as the Owls travel to the Toughsheet Community Stadium to face Bolton Wanderers in the First Round of the EFL Cup.

Why Bannan is available against Stoke City

The South-Yorkshire-based club confirmed on Instagram: "Barry Bannan will miss the Owls' trip to Bolton on Wednesday evening, with our skipper serving a one-match suspension."

The Owls also stated that Bannan "will be back available for our home clash with Stoke on Saturday".

EFL ruling means that the Scotsman can serve his one-game ban in the EFL Cup, as it is an EFL-run cup competition.

Bannan will have therefore served his suspension after Wednesday's tie and can return to action for Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday afternoon.

This is a positive for the Owls

Many Wednesday fans would agree that their league safety is of paramount importance at this current moment, especially with a potential points deduction looming over them.

If the Owls are to defy the odds and retain their Championship status, then Bannan will form a crucial part of this survival bid.

The Scotsman's one-game suspension allows the 35-year-old to be fresh for Saturday's game against Stoke City.

Although an EFL Cup run would be the perfect present for Wednesday fans' immense support through the tumultuous off-season, points on the board in the Championship are of the upmost importance.

Bannan will be well-rested by the time Saturday's game kicks off and some of Wednesday's emerging talent will be given the chance to accumulate minutes in a season in which every member of the squad will be utilised.

Barry Bannan's importance to Sheffield Wednesday

There is no doubting the importance of Bannan to this Sheffield Wednesday side, especially in their current predicament.

Bannan has been an ever-reliable member of the Owls' First Team since he joined from Crystal Palace in 2015.

The 35-year-old has racked up over 400 appearances for the South Yorkshire side and has played over 30 games in each of his 10 seasons at the club.

In eight of these campaigns, he has managed to play at least 45 times for Wednesday in all competitions.

Bannan's dependency has been huge for the Owls and, despite his flawless injury record, he is nearing the age of 36, so needs to be carefully managed.

If Bannan can accumulate over 40 appearances this season, Sheffield Wednesday will be giving themselves the best possible chance to avoid relegation.

How will Bannan's suspension impact Henrik Pedersen's team selection

The Scotsman's suspension and the injury of Nathaniel Chalobah against Leicester City will force Henrik Pedersen into rotating the Wednesday midfield.

Sean Fusire is in-line to make his first start of the season, having replaced Chalobah on 32 minutes in the 2-1 loss at the King Power Stadium on Sunday.

Pedersen could hand a first start of the season to youngster Rio Shipston, as well as giving a first-team debut to under-21s captain, Jarvis Thornton.

Svante Ingelsson may retain his place in the starting line-up from Sunday's defeat, but Pedersen may be tempted to start a youthful trio of Fusire, Shipston and Thornton given the size of Wednesday's squad.