Sheffield Wednesday fans may have been mystified as to the whereabouts of 20-year-old Matt Penney recently after his absence from the side.

The youth academy product last appeared for the Owls in November against Bolton, but following Jos Luhukay's sacking appeared in the first team squad on New Year's Day without being used. Since then he's been absent with little word on the reason.

He revealed all last night in an Instagram story post that showed him with his arm in a sling, clearly having been under the knife in hospital.

The picture carried the caption: "Op No2 done...missing ball like mad, can't wait to be back! Big thanks to my friends & family for the support, working the hardest to be back as soon as!"

Penney has played 17 times for the Owls this season, starting 12 Championship matches as Luhukay went for youth in the early months of the season.

He fell out of favour after the 1-0 defeat against Bolton, but there now seems to be just cause for leaving him out of the side if he's carried an injury.

Prior to this season his only senior football came in two loan appearance for Mansfield Town and a solitary game for Bradford City in 2016/17.

The Verdict

Injury news does seem harder to come by these days, with journalists loath to ask questions about fitness when the transfer window is in full swing.

Penney had done well to force his way into the starting line up at Hillsborough, but the pressure will be on to maintain the good form.

Steve Bruce was reluctant to use youth at Aston Villa and a spell away could be on the cards once the full back regains fitness.