Five realistic Reece James alternatives that could solve Sheffield Wednesday's left-back problem

But after the confirmed release of Matt Penney and Adam Reach, the club have no recognised left-sided player – particularly in defence.

It’s a long summer of course and the club are likely to be linked with a whole host of individuals once the rumour mill kicks into gear. The Star reported last week that they had an interest in Doncaster Rovers’ Reece James, though it is since understood he has his sights set on a Championship move.

With that in mind, here are five realistic free agent options the Owls could consider.

Amari’i Bell

Released by Blackburn Rovers, Bell is an attacking left-back who rather lost his way at Ewood Park having burst onto the scene with Fleetwood Town.

He has both League One and Championship experience and is a bright, dynamic runner who surely won’t have much of an issue finding another club.

Recently called up for Jamaica, on the face of it the 27-year-old fits the sort of profile Wednesday are looking to strike; hungry and with a point to prove.

James Husband

Out of contract at the end of the season, this one may well depend on whether Blackpool get past Lincoln in the League One playoff final on Sunday.

Husband is 27, Yorkshire-born and is out of contract in the coming weeks. If he was to leave Bloomfield Road, perhaps he would be tempted by the lure of Wednesday?

He has bags of League One experience having started out in senior football at Doncaster, before enjoying time on loan at Fleetwood and his current club before making that switch permanent last year.

Connor Ogilvie

He’s a free agent after leaving Gillingham and Ogilvie has pedigree.

Only 25 years old, he came through the ranks at Tottenham Hotspur and has a handful of England youth caps to his name. Back-to-back loan spells to the Gills were made permanent ahead of the 2019/20 season and he has been a huge fan favourite there ever since.

He has an eye for goal, offering four league goals in each of the last two seasons, and is dependable at the back.

Dan Potts

Luton’s ‘released and retained’ list is yet to be released, meaning the true situation surrounding Potts is largely unknown.

But he’s another solid, dependable left-back who may well be available in the coming weeks.

Another with a raft of England youth caps, he came through the ranks at West Ham before making the switch to Luton in 2015, where he has racked up over 150 league appearances.

He’s now 27 and whether or not he’d be willing to drop a division of course, we don’t know.

Shane Ferguson

On the more experienced side of this list, the Northern Ireland international has left Millwall after six years.

Probably more of a midfielder than a left-back, he would offer something different on the flank and a whole lot of work rate.

In a relatively young squad, it could be that his experience – Ferguson will be 30 by the time the season starts – is seen as a big plus point.

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