Sheffield Wednesday manager Henrik Pedersen has identified an area his side must address as the League One leaders prepare for what is expected to be one of the more demanding fixtures in this stage of the season: a meeting with fellow third-tier contenders Stockport County.

Speaking to BBC Radio Sheffield, Pedersen — who recently signed a new contract at Hillsborough — touched on three themes that will resonate with supporters: the club's injury situation, the contribution of captain Barry Bannan, and the specific challenge that Stockport bring to any encounter.

Injury concerns in the camp

Pedersen acknowledged that the injury picture is something Wednesday "have to be better at", according to the BBC Radio Sheffield interview. The precise nature of the absentees was not specified in detail, but the manager's candid admission that it is an area requiring improvement suggests the squad depth is currently being tested.

Wednesday sit seven points clear at the top of League One, a position that will attract close attention from every side in the division, but maintaining that kind of run with disruption to personnel is a test of any management staff's resourcefulness. Pedersen appeared keen to address it rather than deflect from it, which will be taken as a positive signal by the club's support.

Bannan remains central

The Wednesday captain was also discussed, underlining the Scottish midfielder's continued importance to how Pedersen wants the side to function. Bannan has been one of the cornerstones of the club's campaign and, understood from the wider context of Wednesday's season, his availability and form are closely watched by supporters and opposing managers alike.

Pedersen's willingness to reference Bannan specifically in the build-up suggests the 34-year-old remains at the heart of how Wednesday are constructed, whether in terms of tempo, set-piece delivery or simply the leadership he provides on the pitch.

Stockport present a serious test

Stockport County are far from an obliging opponent at this point in the League One campaign. Their own results and the confidence shown by manager Dave McNulty — who said publicly that his side "could and should have won" a recent match — indicate that Edgeley Park's occupants regard themselves as legitimate challengers, not merely also-rans.

McNulty has made clear that his side intend to attack Wednesday when the two clubs meet, with Stockport's defender Joe Whatmuff also speaking about targeting clean sheets in the fixture. That mutual intensity reinforces what Pedersen's interview implies: this is a fixture both camps are treating with considerable seriousness.

For Wednesday, a victory would be an opportunity to extend their already considerable advantage at the summit. For Stockport, picking up points against the division's pacesetters would send a clear message to the rest of the third tier about their own ambitions this season.

Seven points clear, but no complacency

The gap at the top is substantial, yet Pedersen's measured tone in the BBC interview suggests there is no appetite for complacency at Hillsborough. Acknowledging weaknesses in the same breath as preparing for a high-profile fixture is, in some respects, the hallmark of a manager who understands that leads in League One can evaporate quickly.

With Stockport pushing hard and several other clubs keeping pace further back in the table, the coming weeks are likely to shape the promotion picture in the third tier more decisively than the early-season results have done so far. Wednesday's injury management and Bannan's continued involvement will be two of the more closely watched subplots as the run continues.

The BBC Radio Sheffield interview with Pedersen is available to listen to in full via BBC Sounds.

Frequently asked

What did Henrik Pedersen say ahead of the Stockport County match?
Speaking to BBC Radio Sheffield, Pedersen said there is an area his side need to be better at, referencing injuries, while he also discussed captain Barry Bannan and the challenge Stockport will pose.
Is Barry Bannan fit for Sheffield Wednesday?
Pedersen mentioned Bannan in his BBC Radio Sheffield interview, suggesting the captain remains a key figure in his plans, though the full details of the squad's fitness were not disclosed.
How far ahead are Sheffield Wednesday at the top of League One?
Sheffield Wednesday are currently seven points clear at the top of League One, though they face a tough test against third-tier rivals Stockport County.