Sheff Wed players to fulfil Leicester opener

Sheffield Wednesday’s players will fulfil their opening game of the Championship season against Leicester City on Sunday, BBC Sport understands.

The Owls have had a tumultuous off-season as players and staff have had wages delayed during May, June and July, registration embargoes have been issued, the North Stand at Hillsborough has been closed because of concerns over its structural integrity and boss Danny Rohl has left the club.

In the lead-up to taking on Leicester, the EFL has expressed doubts over whether the club can fulfil its fixtures, while a behind-closed-doors training match with Burnley was cancelled after the players refused to play.

On Tuesday morning, when asked whether the players could go on strike and refuse to play against the Foxes, club captain Barry Bannan told Talksport: “No, I don’t think so.

“We pulled out of the Burnley game at the weekend, that was simply because it’s happened too much now and I think it’s a lot easier to pull put of a pre-season friendly game than it is a Championship fixture.

“We’ve come into training and just got on with it and made it look to the outside world like we’re fine with it, so that was our choice then to say ‘enough’s enough’ really.”

Bannan last week signed a new contract with the club despite their ongoing financial struggles.

The 35-year-old, who has made 447 appearances for the Owls in 10 seasons, said he had turned down “interest from elsewhere” to continue his stay at Hillsborough.

Wednesday, who have also missed payments to HMRC and face rising debts, have just 15 first-team squad members.