Garry Monk praises Sheffield Wednesday youngster Alex Hunt and promises game time ahead of manic schedule

The diminutive midfielder, who turned 20 only late last month, made his league debut in the Owls’ dramatic 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest. In doing so he added to the two FA Cup appearances he made earlier this season.

His 13-minute cameo was one of the eye-catching elements of a match that lacked individual brilliance despite an encouraging team performance.

Sheffield-born Hunt, who replaced the lively Massimo Luongo, has earned praise from the likes of Monk and vice-captain Barry Bannan for his performances in training over the past few months and is understood to be keen to now make the step into first team contention.

Asked about the young playmaker’s potential, Monk told The Star: “I think we can all see that. And it’s not just me, it’s the whole club. We all want him to do well. We’ve all said a few things about him and what he can achieve.

“For me personally I think he’s got a lot of potential and I’m delighted with him. I think playing in some of these important games is going to do him the world of good.

“He’s training hard, he’s training well and he’s still got things he can get a bit better at, but he’s growing, he’s young and I want to encourage him. He’s a really good prospect.”

Hunt completed every one of his 12 passes in the match and was seen orchestrating play by pointing senior players in the directions he wanted the ball to go.

Monk agreed that it was his most confident display yet.

“Everyone knows what I feel about Alex,” he said. “We’ve had a few of the young lads join us and as I said to all of them in this period, they’re all going to get the opportunity to be playing games and getting minutes.

“For a young lad like Alex, he’ll be getting minutes in these games for sure. We’re going to need to [give him minutes], we’re going to need everyone.”

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