The Australian international looks set to miss the next two games at the very least with a knee injury and though there are a number of midfield options within the Sheffield Wednesday squad, there is concern over whether there is anyone able to cover his ‘midfield general’ role effectively enough.
With the transfer window shut but clubs still able to shop in the free agents market, we took a look at 11 options available to the Owls should they feel the need to dip in for reinforcements.
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1. Tom Huddlestone
With over 100 appearances accumulated for three different clubs; Derby, Tottenham and Hull, former England international Tom Huddlestone would come with about as much experience as you could hope for. At 33, the play-making holding midfielder wouldn't quite fit into the 'young, hungry, dynamic' profile that Garry Monk is trying to build, but he would tick other boxes. Photo: Justin Setterfield
2. Andy King
Another central midfielder with bags of Championship experience, Andy King went on to win the Premier League with Leicester City in 2016. A Welsh international of 50 caps, 31-year-old King is another a few years the wrong side of Monk's ideal. He spent time on loan at Huddersfield in the second half of last season and impressed. Photo: Laurence Griffiths
3. Kevin Stewart
A former Liverpool starlet who made the move to Hull with Andy Robertson heading the other way, Stewart is a good age at 27 and having been released by Hull at the end of last season has a point to prove like so many of Monk's signings so far. A holding midfielder fond of a tackle, he could provide Monk with a short-term Luongo fix. Photo: David Rogers
4. Andrew Surman
An experienced campaigner who would offer steel to the Owls midfield, former Bournemouth skipper Andrew Surman is something of a hero on the south coast and is looking for a new club having been released by the Cherries after their relegation last season. Another one, at 34, who would be seen as a short-term fix. Photo: Jordan Mansfield