Sheffield Wednesday to sign full-back Joe Bennett from Aston Villa

Joe Bennett has returned to Sheffield Wednesday on a permanent deal after a spell on loan last season

A fee has been agreed and the transfer from Aston Villa is likely to be officially announced within the next 24 hours, with the player due to undertake a medical today.

Bennett is surplus to requirements at Villa Park but the 26 year old is highly-rated by Owls head coach Carlos Carvalhal, who feels the left back can compete with Daniel Pudil for a place in the starting XI.

Wednesday are low on numbers at the back and Carvalhal has already admitted that Pudil could at some point be used as a central defender if need be.

Sam Hutchinson and Tom Lees are currently the two in that role, but with Glenn Loovens injured it remains a case of using others to fill in, if necessary, until reinforcements are brought in.

Bennett made four league and cup appearances for Wednesday last season after signing in January, however, game-time was stunted by a knee injury picked up in training which caused the former Middlesbrough man to return to Villa for treatment.

Bennett will become Wednesday's sixth new signing of the summer, joining Steven Fletcher, Jake Kean, Almen Abdi, Pudil and Will Buckley.