Sheffield Wednesday star set to return and Owls fans are excited | OneFootball

Di'Shon Bernard has issued an update on his return after missing the last 18 months through injury

Sheffield Wednesday are heading into the new League One campaign with a newfound optimism following the Arise takeover on the final day of last year's Championship term.

The 2025/26 campaign was a truly difficult one for Wednesday fans, as the off-season preceding it was dominated by late wage payments and the senior squad being gutted due to the mismanagement of former owner Dejphon Chansiri.

That led to a tough campaign on the field, as the few remaining senior players at the club were run into the ground and would spend long periods on the sidelines, with several young, inexperienced players being thrown in at the deep end at Championship level.

One man spent the entire campaign on the sidelines, though, following an injury sustained in the second half of the 2024/25 term. But as hope surrounds the club once more, Di'Shon Bernard's return only adds more excitement ahead of the new campaign.

Di'Shon Bernard had to watch on from the sidelines all last season, but he's set to return soon

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The last 18 months have been incredibly hard for Bernard. The Jamaican international has had to sit back and watch as his club were stripped to the bone last season, but he couldn't provide much-needed help due to injury.

Indeed, the 25-year-old suffered a knee injury in February 2025 in a game against West Brom. While the initial diagnosis from then-manager Danny Rohl was that he'd be out for around six months, Bernard wouldn't feature at all last season.

Arguably, Bernard's absence hurt more than most, given his promise out of the Manchester United academy and experience at Championship level at the likes of Hull City and then with Wednesday. He was seen as one of the better players in the side even before the mass exodus last summer.

But he wasn't able to contribute and had to watch from the sidelines as his teammates struggled on the field, picking up just 18 points all season to eradicate their deductions and finish on a round zero.

Now, though, with Wednesday embarking on a new era back in League One, it looks like Bernard's return isn't too far away. The 25-year-old posted images of himself training on X this past Sunday with the caption, "The days nobody saw made these days possible. The return is near. 🙏🏾 #swfc."

Sheffield Wednesday fans react to Di'Shon Bernard injury update

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While there's a bigger buzz surrounding Sheffield Wednesday now than there was throughout the entirety of last season, confidence took a bit of a hit after two Owls' eleven's couldn't score in their final pre-season friendlies at Accrington Stanley and Oldham Athletic, losing the latter 4-0.

Therefore, the news that Bernard is nearing a return has helped stoke that optimism once more.

"Yes big Dish looking forward to seeing you after a long time and no doubt a lot of dark days. Onwards and upwards," one Wednesday fan replied. "One step at a time big man we need you now more than ever," another said.

"This will be a HUGE positive, and if Dish can get back to his best (I feel he can), then it will influence and improve our play. He is a top defender and cannot wait to have him back regularly in the heart of defence," one supporter wrote, outlining how important Wednesday fans see the 25-year-old in their hopeful success this year.

"Can't wait to be at Hillsborough singing 'Dishon Bernard ole oleee,'" and "We've all got everything crossed for you. You've got this," were also among the replies.

Di'Shon Bernard could be a major player for Sheffield Wednesday this season if he can get back to his best

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It's evident how well thought of Bernard is amongst the Sheffield Wednesday fanbase, and while it may take him a little while to get back up to speed after a year and a half out, there's no doubting their belief that he could be a top player for them back in League One.

The former Manchester United youngster has spent the better part of the last four years at Championship clubs — a loan spell to Portsmouth in the 2022/23 third-tier campaign aside.

So, at his best, he's second-tier standard, and still at a good age to improve and get better, too.

It'll be a big ask, coming back after 18 months out and re-capturing the quality and potential that made him a fan favourite at Hillsborough under Danny Rohl, but Wednesday supporters are evidently in full belief that he can.

Either way, seeing him on the training pitch is making those fans happy, and he'll be sure to receive a massive reception when he does finally return to the Owls squad.