Sheffield Wednesday: Why Frederico Venancio thinks the Owls have a '˜very good chance' of claiming promotion to the Premier League next season

But Frederico Venancio is sure about one thing.

With or without him, the defender is confident Wednesday are capable of winning promotion to the Premier League next season.

The Owls finished the 2017/18 campaign strongly, picking up six victories and two draws in their final 10 matches to end up in 15th position.

Only champions Wolverhampton Wanderers and third-placed Fulham picked up more points than Wednesday in the last eight fixtures.

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Venancio, who played a key part in Wednesday’s revival, told The Star: “Everybody knows we will try to get promotion to the Premier League. I think we have the quality.

“This season was difficult. We had a lot of injuries.

“But I think if everyone is available next season, we will have a very good chance to get promoted.”

It has been a topsy-turvy year for Venancio. The Portuguese centre-half, drafted in on a season long-loan deal from Vitoria de Setubal last August, was overlooked by Carlos Carvalhal in the first half of the season, featuring just once under the Portuguese chief.

But Venancio blossomed in Luhukay’s three-man defence, establishing himself as one of the first names on the teamsheet.

“After Jos came in, I was a regular and played better,” he admitted. “I played many games with him.

“I have liked working with him because he tries to give me confidence all the time and to the team. I hope to work with him a lot in the future.”

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Whether Venancio gets the opportunity to work again with Luhukay remains to be seen.

The 25-year-old is back with his parent club and has two years left to run on his Vitoria deal.

Luhukay has stressed he wants to sign Venancio on a permanent basis but Vitoria, who are second from bottom of the Portuguese top flight ahead of their season finale at home to Tondela this weekend, are believed to have slapped a £2.6m price tag on him.

Luhukay has said the Owls may have to be “creative” in the transfer market this summer as they look to remain within Profit and Sustainability regulations.

Ideally, Venancio would like a swift resolution to his future but accepts he may have to play the waiting game.

“Sometimes in football you have to wait to get what you want,” he said.

“It’s going to be a decision between Sheffield Wednesday and Vitoria. They have to sort the things in my case. I just have to wait. I will try and enjoy the holidays and rest. I hope everything will go my way to stay here.”

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