Manager Henrik Pedersen has stated that competition for places is the only reason Marvelous Nakamba’s Sheffield Wednesday career has yet to take off.
The midfield enforcer, who will represent Zimbabwe during the forthcoming international break, has made only two appearances for the Owls since signing on transfer deadline day last month.
After his contract with Luton Town was dissolved, Nakamba joined Wednesday on a short-term basis, joining for the rest of the season. Following Barry Bannan’s departure, he added to the Owls’ midfield depth.
Despite making his debut at the earliest possible chance, coming off the bench against Swansea City and logging over 30 minutes, the former Aston Villa player has appeared only once since.
Nakamba, who came in as a late substitution against Ipswich Town at Hillsborough little over a week ago, was an unused substitute in Wednesday’s 3-1 loss to Hull City on Saturday.
Pedersen picked an unchanged team for the game against the Tigers, thus Jarvis Thornton, Jaden Heskey, and Svante Ingelsson started in midfield.
And the Owls manager has stated that Nakamba’s lack of playing time is solely due to the form of the aforementioned players.
“There has been a lot of competition [for places],” Pedersen told the Star. “Svante has been one of our very best players.
“Jaden has been quite strong. Jarvis, as a young man, has also demonstrated strength. So it’s been terrible for him.
“But Marv is a terrific guy who has received extensive training and strives to do everything correctly. “I’m sure he’ll get more playing time.”
Wednesday’s campaign will return on the other side of the international break, with a Good Friday trip to the bet365 Stadium against Stoke City. This will be their first of seven games between now and the finish line.
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