Sheffield Wednesday manager Garry Monk has revealed that Liam Palmer and Keiren Westwood missed his side's draw with Derby County on Wednesday night.

After taking the lead through Steven Fletcher, the Owls were denied all three points by a late Chris Martin penalty, before seeing Palmer's replacement, Moses Odubajo sent off for a second bookable offence in second-half stoppage time.

Palmer himself was only available to face the Rams after three games out with a suspension of his own, and explaining why the right-back did not return to the side on Wednesday, Monk told BBC Radio Sheffield: “He just had a little niggle at the end of last week. But he was back out on the pitches today (Wednesday) so we’re very hopeful he’s fit for the weekend.”

Discussing the importance of having Palmer back for their trip to face Nottingham Forest on Saturday following Odubajo's suspension, Monk continued: “Of course (we might need him at the City Ground). (It’s) vitally important that Liam’s back, he’s done very well for us. We’re very confident that he should be back for the weekend.”

Westwood meanwhile has now the last four games through injury, and providing an update on the goalkeeper, Monk revealed: “Keiren’s not back out on the full training. (He) should be training Thursday onwards.”

Following that midweek stalemate with Derby, Wednesday are eighth in the Championship standings, just one point off the play-off places, and unbeaten in their last four.

The Verdict

The situation with Palmer in particular here will surely be frustrating for Wednesday.

The right-back has demonstrated his importance to the side on numerous occasions over previous years, and with his replacement Odubajo now suspended, it feels as though there could be a nervous wait for news on his fitness around Hillsborough in the next few days.

Given the impressive performances between the posts of Cameron Dawson recently however, it does at least seem as though there is less pressure on the Owls to get Westwood back up to full fitness as there may have been previously ahead of that trip to the City Ground this weekend.