Sheffield Wednesday begin their EFL Trophy campaign on Tuesday evening with a trip to Salford City. It is the first time the two clubs have met in any competition. Kick-off at the AIG Stadium is at 7:00pm, and Wednesday's allocation of 1,366 tickets has sold out.
The tie is the opening fixture of Northern Group A, which also includes Accrington Stanley and Sunderland Under-21s. Sunderland's youngsters start their campaign away at Accrington at the same time on Tuesday.
Bernard set for a return
Henrik Pedersen says Wednesday will take the competition seriously, and The Star reports that Di'Shon Bernard is in line for his first senior appearance in 19 months. The centre-back recently played 45 minutes for the Under-21s against Charlton Athletic. Pedersen said: "It's still the goal that he will play on Tuesday." He added that he imagined about 45 minutes.
Bernard knows Salford well. He joined them on loan from Manchester United in October 2020, initially until January, and made his debut as a 61st-minute substitute in a 1–1 draw with Crawley Town on 24 October. His first goal for the club was a stoppage-time header in a 2–1 loss to Carlisle United on 2nd December, and the loan was extended to the end of the season in mid-January. He was cup-tied when Salford beat Portsmouth on penalties in the 2020 EFL Trophy final at Wembley in March 2021.
The Star also reports that Pedersen did not confirm whether Joe Lumley will keep his place in goal. Lumley has started every league game so far, while summer signings Ashley Maynard-Brewer and Connal Trueman are yet to make a senior appearance. Tournament regulations require clubs to field their full available strength, so how much Pedersen rotates is the main selection question.
Wednesday arrive after consecutive goalless draws at Hillsborough, against Wigan Athletic and Stockport County, and sit second in League One after seven games. Stockport outshot Wednesday 18–6 in Saturday's draw. Pedersen said afterwards that the team played much quicker from the back once changes were made in the second half.
Salford unbeaten in four
Peter Cklamovski, who took charge of Salford in June, has led them to 12th in League Two. They are unbeaten in four, having lost their first three league games, and won 1–0 against Swindon Town at the weekend through Joe Powell's 77th-minute strike from distance.
Travel and parking
The stadium has no dedicated supporter parking, and supporters are strongly advised not to rely on street parking. Many surrounding streets are covered by resident permit schemes and restrictions, and vehicles parked in breach of them may receive penalty notices or face enforcement action. Alternative parking is available near Kersal Road playground. Fans can also use the Whitefield Metrolink Park & Ride and complete the journey on local bus services 95 or 98.
Manchester Victoria is the nearest mainline station, about three miles from the ground. From there, supporters can take a taxi or local bus services 97 or 98 towards Moor Lane, both of which stop within walking distance of the stadium. The official coach departs from Hillsborough and Pond Street A1 Bus Terminal at 3:45pm.