Sheffield Wednesday manager Jos Luhukay has said that injury absentee Sam Hutchinson is currently ill, reports Dom Howson of the Sheffield Star. 

The 29-year-old was reportedly due to play in an under-23's match earlier this week but had to miss it, with next Monday now set to be his return to action.

Hutchinson has not been involved in one of Luhukay's matchday squads since sitting on the bench during the club's 2-1 win against Reading.

The Owls face Swansea City this Saturday and go into the match in a shocking run of form, winning just one of their last nine games, losing six of them and drawing just two.

With last weekend's 2-2 draw to strugglers Rotherham United bumping them down into 17th place, the pressure is really beginning to mount on Luhukay, with calls for him to be sacked getting louder by the week.

A win at the Liberty Stadium would be a big boost to the Dutchman and to the club, with the potential to rise to within nine points of the play-off places if they pick up three points.

The verdict 

I am sure that many Wednesday fans will jump on Luhukay for this, but honestly, what is he expected to do?

He is already a football manager. I don't think he can be expected to whip up miracle cures for the flu or other common illnesses in the little spare time he has.

Luhukay is certainly not blameless in the club's current mess, but people need some perspective at times.