Sheffield Wednesday: Owls youngster's meteoric rise to the top

The young defender has gone from plying his trade in League Two to frequently competing in the hustle-and-bustle of the Championship.

Since returning from a successful loan spell at Accrington Stanley, Thorniley has featured on eight occasions under Owls boss Jos Luhukay. In truth, he probably would have played more had he not suffered concussion and bruising to his face at Millwall.

“I’m enjoying the fact I have been given a chance,” he said. “First-team football is what I wanted. Obviously, going on loan and coming back has been good.

“I’m just learning every game. I’m going to make mistakes. Everybody makes mistakes but it’s just learning from those mistakes and building on it. I’m still 21 and I’ve got a long way to go.”

The ex-Everton youngster is enjoying the chance to work with Luhukay.

Thorniley said: “I feel like the manager trusts me. He’s not afraid to throw me in now so I feel like I’m part of his squad and his plans.

“We will see what happens in the rest of the season but hopefully I will get some minutes under my belt.”

Luhukay has no qualms promoting youth. As well as Thorniley, he has given run-outs to Connor O’Grady, Frederik Nielsen, Jack Stobbs and Sean Clare.

“There is a door there now,” he said. “You can see that there are players who have come through who have done alright.

“We are not going to get ahead of ourselves. We’ve only played 10 games which is nothing.

“Some players have one good season and then just fade away. You have to keep your feet on the ground and when you do get a chance you have got to take it and do your best.”

Thorniley was recalled to the starting line-up against Queens Park Rangers on Tuesday, with Luhukay fielding him at full-back.

“I literally found out I was playing on the day of the game,” he told The Star. “I played at left-back and I didn’t really expect it. I had always played at centre-back under the manager. It was a bit of a shock but I enjoyed it.”