Sheffield Wednesday have confirmed that forward Louie Barry will miss approximately three months of the League One season after sustaining an ankle ligament injury.

The 23-year-old was hurt during Tuesday evening's 2-1 victory at Wycombe, a result that kept Wednesday's strong early-season form ticking over. Barry had scored his third goal in six appearances for the club before limping off, capping a promising start to his time at Hillsborough.

Blow at the worst time

Barry joined Wednesday from Aston Villa during the summer and had hit the ground running in the third tier, netting three times across his opening half-dozen outings. That return made him one of the more eye-catching performers in the division in the early weeks of the campaign, which makes the timing of the setback particularly frustrating for Henrik Pedersen's squad.

With three wins from four League One fixtures, Wednesday sit among the early pacesetters. Losing a forward of Barry's output for a quarter of the season is a significant test of the squad's depth, and Pedersen will need others to step up if the Owls are to sustain that momentum.

What comes next

Ankle ligament injuries typically require a conservative rehabilitation period, and a three-month absence puts Barry in line to return sometime around late autumn. Wednesday will hope to have him back in contention before the season reaches its most competitive phase.

In the immediate term, the Owls travel to Peterborough on Saturday, a fixture that now carries added significance as Pedersen looks to rotate and reshape his attacking options. Wednesday's ability to cope without their in-form forward will tell a great deal about the squad's overall quality at this level.

Barry had shown enough in his short spell to suggest he can be a genuine threat in League One. The challenge for the club now is to bank enough points while he recovers to ensure they are still well-positioned when he returns to fitness.

Frequently asked

How long is Louie Barry out for Sheffield Wednesday?
Barry is expected to be sidelined for around three months after suffering an ankle ligament injury during Wednesday's 2-1 League One win at Wycombe.
How many goals had Louie Barry scored for Sheffield Wednesday before his injury?
Barry had scored three goals in six appearances for the Owls since joining from Aston Villa this summer.
When is Sheffield Wednesday's next League One game?
Sheffield Wednesday travel to Peterborough on Saturday in their next League One fixture.