Sheffield Wednesday: Owls in no hurry to name new club captain

Wednesday will take their time over appointing a new club captain.
Owls defender Tom LeesOwls defender Tom Lees
Owls defender Tom Lees

Tom Lees, Barry Bannan and Adam Reach are potential contenders to succeed Glenn Loovens, who is leaving the Championship club this summer.

With Loovens out-of-favour, Lees has worn the captain’s armband in recent months.

Owls defender Tom LeesOwls defender Tom Lees
Owls defender Tom Lees
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But manager Jos Luhukay insists he is not in a hurry to pick a new skipper.

He told The Star: “It is too early for that (to make a decision). I think you first must wait to see how is the squad and what players are there 100 per cent. We will have pre-season and at the end of pre-season we will make a decision for the new captain.”

Luhukay regards it as a key position.

“A captain must always be a personality for the team but also for the club,” he stressed. “He’s the player who speaks to the press the most.

Glenn Loovens will leave the Owls this summerGlenn Loovens will leave the Owls this summer
Glenn Loovens will leave the Owls this summer

“It must be a player with a good character and high intelligence. He must be really professional.”

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Speaking at his press call today, Luhukay was full of praise for Loovens.

“He has had five fantastic years here,” he said. “Glenn’s character and mentality is fantastic.

“It has not been easy in the last few months (for him). He has not played many games. Most of the time he was not playing but his character on the training field and in the camp was always very positive.

“He motivated his colleagues in this last period so I have a lot of respect for him as a person and as a footballer. He had a fantastic career before he came to Sheffield. He played for some great clubs.”

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As part of their retained list, Wednesday confirmed contract offers have been submitted to Atdhe Nuhiu, Sean Clare and George Hirst. While Daniel Pudil, Warren Clarke and Jack Lee have extended their Hillsborough stays this week, it remains to be seen whether Nuhiu, Clare and Hirst and young goalkeeper Dan Wallis will stay put.

Luhukay said: “There is no deadline. We don’t put any pressure on the players. We are thinking positive and it is now up to the players whether they sign with us for the future. We hope they will sign but at the end the players must decide.”

Luhukay hopes Nuhiu will sign a new contract. The striker has notched six goals in his last seven outings.

He said: “It depends on Atdhe. Hopefully he will sign a new contract. His contract is ready so he must only give his word to us.

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“I’m on very good speaking terms with Atdhe but we put no pressure on him. He must have a good feeling. I know Atdhe is positive to make a decision but at this moment he has not signed so we must have a little bit of patience.”

Competition for places up front will hot up when Steven Fletcher and Gary Hooper recover from their long-term injury problems. The pair are set to be fit in time for start of pre-season training on June 25.

“We must only look at the last months,” stressed Luhukay. “Steven [Fletcher] and Gary [Hooper] were not there with their injuries. Atdhe and Lucas [Joao] have taken their chances to play and done a good job. They play very well, score important goals and make assists.

“We are also happy with these players and of course we hope Atdhe will have a positive future with us but he must decide that.”