Striker Iké Ugbo was absent as Sheffield Wednesday were held to a 2-2 draw by Hull City at Hillsborough on Boxing Day.
Owls head coach Henrik Pedersen has confirmed the Canadian international missed the match due to a suspected hamstring-related issue, further adding to Wednesday’s growing injury problems. With several attacking options already unavailable, there had been hope Ugbo could play a role against the Tigers.
George Brown and Charlie McNeill were both ruled out before kick-off with hamstring and rib injuries respectively, while Ugbo was a surprise omission when the team news was released 75 minutes before the match. He had featured from the bench in Wednesday’s three games prior to Christmas, making second-half appearances against Watford, Derby County and Ipswich Town.
Speaking after the game, Pedersen explained Ugbo’s absence, telling The Star: “He’s injured as well. He has an issue with a nerve around his hamstring, so he’s also injured. I don’t know how long it will take. I have no update on that.”
Pedersen was left with a very youthful bench against Hull, with goalkeeper Ethan Horvath the only senior substitute named.
Ugbo, 27, has not started a match for Wednesday since the 3-0 defeat to Sheffield United on November 23. While he is still searching for his first Championship goal of the season after 18 appearances, Pedersen will be keen to avoid losing another experienced option as his squad continues to be stretched by injuries.
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