Sheffield Wednesday manager Henrik Pedersen has explained why new signing Louie Barry was left out of the starting line-up for the Owls' 1-0 Carabao Cup win over Bolton Wanderers, saying simply that Barry had not trained in the days beforehand. His absence opened the door for 17-year-old Leeds United loanee Harry Gray, who impressed after a strong showing in a prior friendly against Accrington Stanley and was rewarded with his first start.

Gray played on the left of a four-pronged attack, making 25 touches and creating chances before being substituted after 79 minutes. Pedersen said he sees Gray's "left-10" role as his strongest position, though he could also play centrally or eventually as a out-and-out nine, and praised the teenager's technical ability while stressing he still needs to sharpen his pressing intensity to match the team's aggressive style. Both Gray and Barry now look set to compete for minutes in Wednesday's attacking areas this season.