Onyango Injury Overshadows Sheffield Wednesday’s 2-1 Opening Win

Tyler Onyango’s Sheffield Wednesday debut ended after 14 minutes with a suspected knee injury, although the Owls began their League One campaign with a 2-1 victory over Leyton Orient. The midfielder’s early withdrawal has left his availability for the next fixture uncertain.

Wednesday manager Pedersen said after the match that Onyango had reported a problem, but he did not yet know the nature or seriousness of it. The player will require further assessment before the club can determine how long he may be unavailable.

Onyango had been named in the starting team for his first appearance since joining Wednesday from Everton on a free transfer this summer. The 23-year-old signed a three-year contract and was selected ahead of Jarvis Thornton, who had started in the previous week’s win against Bolton.

Pedersen had previously described Onyango as a reserve option, but the midfielder’s training convinced him to make the change. Billy Mitchell was still recovering from an injury, while the manager also considered Onyango’s physical qualities important for a match expected to feature plenty of long balls.

The former England youth international has had injury problems in the past, making the setback an unwelcome start to his time at Hillsborough. Wednesday had brought him in with the aim of helping him move beyond those difficulties and fulfil his ability.

On the pitch, Callum Slattery put Wednesday ahead before Joseph Olowu levelled for Leyton Orient. Jamal Lowe then converted a penalty to secure the visitors’ winning start. The result gives the Owls early momentum, but attention now turns to Onyango’s medical assessment before Thursday’s meeting with Bradford City.