Charlton Athletic boost as Sheffield Wednesday dealt huge injury blow to 'born leader'

Charlton Athletic welcome Sheffield Wednesday to The Valley after the international break and their hopes of a home victory over the Owls have been handed a boost with a fresh injury for the Yorkshire outfit.

It’s been a turbulent year at Hillsborough and a 5-0 thrashing at the hands of Coventry City last weekend didn’t do much to lift the mood. Sheffield Wednesday manager Henrik Pedersen has had to trust youth this season after the mass exodus of first team stars in the summer.

The Owls sit 23rd in the second tier with just six points to their name, half the tally that Nathan Jones and the Addicks have. The two clubs meet at The Valley next weekend.

Sheffield Wednesday handed injury blow

The visitors are set to be without 19-year-old defender Ernie Weaver, who has been a standout star this term. The player has started the last four league matches and his performances had reportedly turned the heads of Premier League clubs.

However, BBC reporter Andy Giddings reports that Weaver is set to have an operation on an ankle problem which could rule him out for several months. Giddings wrote: “Hearing Sheffield Wednesday defender Ernie Weaver is due to undergo an operation before the weekend on an ankle problem which sources say could rule him out 'for months.' Understand the 19-year-old had been playing with the issue over recent weeks.”

Charlton Athletic to host Owls without star defender

The Star recently published a long read report into what makes the teenage defender so exciting, highlighting his kamikaze character at the back that sees him leave it all out on the pitch. Weaver has made eight senior appearances for the Owls this season, having been fast-tracked to the first team after the mass exodus of stars this summer.

The report claims that the teenager is already one of the first names on the teamsheet. It adds: “Not only is he prepared to chuck himself in front of every ball like his life depends on it, just as he did when he charged down Demarai Gray’s goalbound shot in the closing stages at St Andrew’s on Tuesday evening and celebrated it like a goal, as Wednesday tried so desperately hard to preserve their 2-1 advantage, but he is also portraying himself as a naturally born leader.

“He is constantly pointing, advising and talking to his teammates. It is not the sort of leadership you expect from a 19-year-old who had never played a game of senior football prior to the start of this season.”

In other news, 'Forgotten' ex Charlton Athletic and Crystal Palace striker ends 17-month hiatus with free transfer.