Sheffield Wednesday caretaker boss Lee Bullen has expressed his disappointment that the EFL Cup first-round tie with Bury was called off, insisting that his players need game time. 

The Owls were due to take on the Shakers in the first round of the competition at Hillsborough on Tuesday night, but the game was suspended by the EFL last week due to Bury's ongoing financial problems.

Bury have been given two weeks avoid being expelled from the EFL, after their third game of the season was called off.

Bullen - who is in his third spell in caretaker charge at Hillsborough - has expressed his disappointment that the game has been suspended off, insisting that his players need game time.

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"I am really, really disappointed it will not go ahead and I really hope that the EFL can get this sorted out as soon as possible," Bullen told the Sheffield Star.

"We really needed the game. We have got so many lads that need game time at the moment.

"We are really disappointed. One for Bury as a football club; it would have been great for them from a financial point of view but selfishly for ourselves just to get to players on the pitch. It is really disappointing."

Sheffield Wednesday are searching for a permanent manager, after Steve Bruce controversially decided to leave Hillsborough to take charge of Newcastle United last month.

Bullen is one of the favourites for the job on a full-time basis, after guiding Sheffield Wednesday to back-to-back wins over Reading and Barnsley in their opening two games of the Championship season.

The Verdict

I completely agree with Bullen here and it's easy to understand his point of view. This would have been a valuable opportunity for him to rotate his squad and give some of his fringe players a chance to impress.

As for Bury, it's never nice to see a football club in this sort of situation and you've got to feel for Bury here.

Hopefully the club can get themselves out of trouble and save themselves from expulsion from the EFL, before it's too late.