- Glenn Loovens suspended for clash with Bolton
- Kamil Zayatte and Claude Dielna competing to step up
- Stuart Gray delighted with options
Owls skipper Glenn Loovens is set to miss this weekend’s clash with Bolton through suspension but head coach Stuart Gray has two strong candidates to step up at The Macron Staidum.
Kamil Zayatte and new recruit Claude Dielna are in line to start the Championship clash, and Gray is pleased with the options available.
Zayatte, who is away on international duty with Guniea, made his first appearance of the campaign in the 1-0 win over Burnley in the Capital One Cup last month.
During the Owls Under-21s’ league fixture with Swansea at Hillsborough last Friday, Dielna played his first game in the blue and white stripes and is also in contention.
Gray said: “It’s a one-on-one race whether to give him his debut or go with Kamil, subject to him coming back from international duty OK.
“We’ve also had a really good look at Claude working in the back four in training this week.”
Gray and the coaching staff at Hillsborough have been pleased by Dielna’s transition to English football and the Owls head coach would have no issue with throwing the commanding stopper in at the deep end.
He added: “He showed his versatility in the Development Squad game and it was an impressive performance.
“He’s got a great range of passing with that left foot, he’s very comfortable on the ball and a very talented boy which is why we were so keen to bring him in.”