John Buckley missed Sheffield Wednesday’s 2-1 defeat at Birmingham City due to a family bereavement.

The Owls suffered their third straight defeat in the league over the weekend. They went in front through George Byers on the stroke of half time, but the hosts turned it around thanks to Juninho Bacuna and Jordan James.

It was Wayne Rooney’s first victory at the sixth attempt since replacing John Eustace in the dugout at St Andrew’s.

In Buckley’s absence, Wednesday boss Danny Rohl named Devis Vasquez and Peirce Charles, two goalkeepers on the bench. Charles had travelled with the squad as a 19th man and took up the remaining spot.

Rohl felt it was important that the midfielder went home to be with his family.

"We had a family issue for John Buckley overnight," he told The Sheffield Star.

"In this case sometimes football is not at all important and that is the reason I sent him home to his family. It was very important.

“These are humans and that was the reason I took a second goalkeeper on the bench because we had a squad of 18 players and three goalkeepers."

The Owls are back in Championship action on Wednesday night when they welcome leaders Leicester City to Hillsborough.

Rohl’s side remain at the foot of the table, having won just one league game since the start of the campaign as they aim to build on last season’s promotion from League One.

Buckley has made 10 appearances for the Yorkshire club in all competitions, most recently coming off the bench in the 4-0 defeat against Millwall.

The 24-year-old joined the Owls on a season-long loan over the summer but Rovers have an option to recall him in January.

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