Crisis club Sheffield Wednesday have no idea whether their captain is allowed to play in Championship opener

SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY do not know whether captain Barry Bannan will be able to play in their Championship opener at Leicester on Sunday.

The crisis club are under a number of registration embargoes after players and staff were paid late in May, June and July — and on Wednesday the EFL urged owner Dejphon Chansiri to sell.

Midfielder Bannan, 35, who joined the club in 2015, was out of contract at the end of June.

He signed a new deal on Saturday but might not be available against the Foxes.

New Owls boss Henrik Pedersen said: “People in the club are trying to find out the situation. Right now I don’t know.

“It’s a strange situation, I hope we can get clarity very soon so we know more before the training session on Friday.”

Pedersen, 47, stepped up from assistant after German manager Danny Rohl left by mutual consent last month.

He also said he had no indication that any of the 15 senior players left were not intending to play on Sunday.

They cancelled a pre-season friendly against Burnley last weekend.

It is understood full-back Max Lowe handed in his notice last week.

Pedersen praised the the club’s staff after a chaotic summer.

The Dane added: “The last two days’ sessions we have had fantastic energy in the group. I have to say I have big, big respect for our players and how they have handled the situation.

“It’s difficult, and there are a lot of mornings that they are coming, and there are different energy levels for individuals.

“But how they have handled it as a group and how my staff have supported them…

“We have had a lot of good sessions — it has impressed me.

“It’s a tough situation, but the players do a great job.”