Sheffield Wednesday: 'We have maybe had too many players over the last couple of seasons'

Wednesday chief Jos Luhukay, who is preparing for his first full campaign in the Championship following his January appointment, has indicated he wants to trim the size of his squad.

And Glenn Loovens, Ross Wallace, Sean Clare, Jake Kean Jack Hunt and Jordan Rhodes (loan) have all left Hillsborough in the last two months.

It is a clearout which many people feel should have happened much sooner. Some supporters still think they are top heavy in midfield and attack, having stockpiled players in pursuit of promotion to the Premier League.

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But with the Owls wary of falling foul of Profitability and Sustainability regulations, don't be surprised if there are more departures over the coming weeks.

Luhukay's long-term aim is to lower the average age of the squad and work with a smaller pool of players.

Goalkeeper Cameron Dawson told The Star: "A couple of lads have moved on so the squad is smaller than it has been. I think that's important. I think we have maybe had too many players over the last couple of seasons.

"But the squad is on the way down.

"The lads have really been at in pre-season, worked hard and are ready to push for starting eleven places."

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Wednesday, beaten 2-1 by Mansfield Town in their penultimate pre-season friendly on Tuesday night, have yet to bolster their first-team ranks.

But Dawson, vying with Joe Wildsmith and Keiren Westwood for the number one jersey, is unfazed by their quiet summer.

"We have got some very good players at this football club," he insisted. "If we go into the start of the season without signing another player, we have still got a squad that is fit to challenge in this league.

"We know what we have got in the dressing room. There are some top, top players here."

Dawson, who started the final three fixtures of last term, continued: "We are in a very healthy position. We have probably done some spending in the past that should do well for this club for another few years yet.

"We know we can give it a right good go with the players we have got."

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