Ever since Josh Scowen’s ACL injury in the away fixture against Leyton Orient in the closing stages of the 2024/25 League One campaign which has seen him on the sidelines for nine months now, it has become increasingly clear that Wanderers are missing his presence in the midfield as of recently, especially with somewhat of an injury crisis within the midfield, George Abbott returning to Tottenham Hotspur and Ewan Henderson out for up to six weeks.

While players such as Jamie Mullins and Caolan Boyd-Munce have been playing fairly well since joining in the summer, it’s hard not to draw comparisons when looking back at the last season, especially after Wanderers were so close to returning to the Championship.

With the January transfer window well underway, and the chatter online currently focused on Wycombe strengthening their ranks and adding some much-needed depth in the middle of the pitch, what affect could that have on Scowen, when he does eventually make his return to the squad?

The 32-year-old midfielder was one of Wycombe’s most called-upon players of last season, starting a total of 34 matches in the League. More often than not, he was partnered with Luke Leahy or Xavier Simons in the defensive midfield positions of a 4-2-3-1 formation, and it was extremely rare for him to play for less than 70 minutes during a League fixture, even after the managerial change last year, so it’s clear to see how important he was within the side.

Since his injury, Wanderers have recruited Boyd-Munce, Mullins, Abbott and Henderson, with Michael Duff opting for Leahy and Boyd-Munce in the defensive midfield roles for a 4-2-3-1, most recently in Wycombe’s New Year’s Day draw against League leaders, Cardiff City.

Wycombe’s most recent match against Wimbledon is a more interesting one to look at in terms of formation, with Leahy, Boyd-Munce, Junior Quitirna and Daniel Harvie making up the midfield while Wycombe were in possession, with Quitirna and Harvie dropping back if Wanderers needed to defend.

A lack of physicality in the midfield has been an ongoing issue for Wycombe, Scowen often providing that when he was playing. However, the new faces seem more technical than physical, looking to either take the ball further up the pitch or lay it off to the wingers or, on some occasions, just hoof it up the pitch and hope for the best, the latter rarely working.

When Scowen does make his return, whenever that may be, it will be an interesting situation to have. Will he automatically be pushed into the starting XI? Probably not, with match fitness being a key issue that could arise if this was to happen. There is, of course, the question as to if he will be the same player that fans loved to watch control the midfield before his injury.

Furthermore, while Wycombe haven’t yet made a signing this January, the chatter has been around bringing in more midfielders. It does depend on what terms, will they be brought in on loan deals for the rest of the season, which Scowen will more than likely be out for? Or will they sign on permanent deals, and what happens to their places if and when he returns?