Harry Gray joined Owls on loan from Leeds United last month

One Sheffield Wednesday new signing will benefit from the experience of Barry Bannan and Liam Cooper.

That is the opinion of Owls legend Mel Sterland, who believes the know-how of the pair will help guide young striker Harry Gray. The forward, who is half the age of Cooper, 34, and more than half of Bannan, 36, will spend the upcoming season on loan from Leeds United.

Bannan and Cooper have more than 1,100 senior appearances between them, while Gray has made just 21. After scoring regularly for Leeds’ youth teams, he netted three goals in 20 outings in League One for Rotherham United last season in his first experience of first-team football.

Bannan has already taken a liking to Gray after the youngster revealed he supports Scotland rather than England, while Cooper and Gray have chatted Leeds.

“Liam Cooper obviously will know him from playing at Leeds United,” Sterland said. “What a player! What a signing! I didn't think we were going to sign Liam, but he's a great leader, great signing. And we've got Bannan back as well. So them two, they're about 150 between them! But yeah, it's just great players, experienced players, and at that level, that's what you need. Both players will get the best out of Harry.”

Gray has been with Wednesday for three weeks and has featured in friendlies against West Brom, Preston and Stoke City. He could get more minutes against either Accrington Stanley (12.30pm) or Oldham Athletic (4pm) this Saturday. Tickets for both games are now on general sale, with 2,017 tickets for Accrington and 2,000 for Oldham available for travelling fans.