This article is part of Football League World's 'The Verdict' series, which provides personal opinions from the FLW writers regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Sheffield Wednesday have recently been dealt a frustrating injury blow, with news emerging that Jack Marriott is set for a lengthy spell in the treatment room. 

Marriott signed for Sheffield Wednesday on loan from Derby County towards the end of the summer transfer window, and has gone on to make seven appearances for the Owls.

He is yet to hit the back of the net for Wednesday though, and has returned to Derby for treatment on a calf strain, Tony Pulis has confirmed. 

Sheffield Wednesday are currently sat 23rd in the Championship table after their opening 12 matches of this year's campaign, and will be eager to force themselves up the second-tier standings at the earliest of opportunities.

The Owls were narrowly beaten by Preston North End in their most recent match, but had ten men for the majority of the match, after Josh Windass was shown a straight red card in Tony Pulis' first game in charge of the club.

But how big of a blow is this injury update on Marriott for Sheffield Wednesday?

We discuss....

Sam Rourke: 

This is far from ideal.

Wednesday need as many striker options available to them as they can at the moment, and Marriott's absence will not be welcomed.

The Owls do have the likes of Elias Kachunga, Jordan Rhodes and Callum Paterson to call upon, but they are all hardly in fantastic form, nor guaranteed to score you 15+ goals a season at this current time.

Marriott is arguably one of the club's best finishers and he'll be a miss.

This could ultimately allow Jordan Rhodes more opportunities at Hillsborough, with the Scottish striker having a tough time of late at the Yorkshire side. We know he's capable of scoring at this level, but Pulis needs give him a proper run in the team to show what he can do.

Alfie Burns: 

It’s disappointing, obviously, and he’s back at Derby now so I can’t imagine we will see him in a Wednesday shirt again.

However, it’s not the end of the world for Sheffield Wednesday. They are embarking on a new chapter under Tony Pulis and I had questions over whether Marriott was suited to his style of play.

The injury, however unfortunate, opens up the door for Pulis to sign someone in the January transfer window.

That’s not a million miles away now and Wednesday can address this setback then.

Can you score full marks in this 20-question Sheffield Wednesday quiz? 

 

Chris Gallagher: 

It's a very big blow.

Wednesday just don't score enough goals right now and, at his best, Marriott can make a difference at this level. He's one of few in the squad that has the ability to run in behind and he is a threat with his movement too.

Obviously, they are also without Josh Windass for the next three games too, so it's not the start to life at Hillsborough that Tony Pulis would've wanted. This is football though, these things happen. It's a chance for others, maybe Jordan Rhodes, to step up and to show what he can do.

Bringing in a new striker in January was likely to be a priority for Pulis anyway, but it certainly is now.