Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper Pierce Charles is no stranger to praise.

The list of public admirers of Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper Pierce Charles has extended a touch after a Queens Park Rangers midfield man Paul Smyth spoke glowingly on his ability.

The 20-year-old stopper has developed a burgeoning reputation along the way of a maiden full senior campaign that stuttered only through injury. At such a young age he fell just short of a World Cup with Northern Ireland and is the subject of busy transfer interest from a host of clubs in the Premier League and abroad.

Charles is believed to be among those to have entered exploratory discussions over a new contract but with such heavy interest around, it may prove difficult for the Owls to keep hold of the youngster as he turns into the final year of his Hillsborough contract.

Strasbourg are once again known to be among the sides interested in taking him on, with a number of England’s biggest clubs having been linked with admiration in recent weeks. Charles collected his 11th senior international cap in midweek, playing 45 minutes in a friendly win over Guinea.

“He’s unbelievable. I think everyone’s seen it,” international teammates Smyth told the Belfast Telegraph with Charles within earshot. “The guy could play midfield with his brother (Shea) and I think that’s what he’s trying to do!”

Speaking with a smile, the QPR man added: “I think that’s why he told Michael (O’Neill) to take him off (against Guinea) so he could come on in midfield and Luke would go in goal. You see his quality all the time. I saw recently on Instagram, UEFA highlighting his reels and the passes he’s made with both feet. It’s enjoyable to watch, isn’t it?”