How an ex-Sheffield United forward played a part in Josh Windass' move to Sheffield Wednesday

Dean Windass, who played at both Sheffield clubs including a short-term 2001 loan spell at Wednesday, explained his friendly relationship with Owls boss Garry Monk, who he played against several times across his career.

But it seems another mutual footballing acquaintance that turned Wednesday onto the Latics man – former Accrington Stanley manager and Monk’s long-time forwards coach James Beattie.

Speaking to Alan Biggs on his Sheffield Live show, Dean said: “When Garry was playing for Swansea, I played against him loads of times. We had a few run-ins on the pitch!

“But wherever he’s been manager, whenever he’s come to Hull I’d have a chat with him and James Beattie. Obviously James Beattie signed our Josh for Accrington and that was the link there. James gave Garry some feedback about Josh and that’s how it came around.

“Me and Garry as ex-footballers, we chat and we talk and there’s a mutual respect there. And subsequently, he went and signed Josh, which was good for Josh, signing for a massive club.

“I don’t know what’s going to happen at the end of the season if Josh goes back to Wigan or Wednesday make it permanent, nobody knows what’s going to go on.”

Monk has made no secret of his desire to bring Beattie in at the outset of his Wednesday reign. It is understood that the former Blades marksman is ‘working from home’ having not been released from his contract at Birmingham City.

Dean admitted his regret on Josh’s 2018 move to Wigan from Scottish giants Glasgow Rangers but said he is enjoying life at Wednesday, hinting a permanent move may be possible.

“He was coming off a tough spell at Wigan and he should never have left Glasgow Rangers in my opinion,” Dean said.

“But he’s a man, I just advise him as a dad, not as a footballer. He’s a grown man and I just say ‘you do whatever is good for your career’.

“He left Glasgow Rangers and went to Wigan for about £2.5m I think it was, started reasonably well for Wigan and then things happen with football and then subsequently the club agreed for Josh to go out on loan.

“Sheffield Wednesday came calling and I said yes straight away, a massive club, great fanbase. Wednesday were going through a bad time at that stage where they couldn’t bring in players.

“I don’t know what’s going to happen with Josh, he’s got another year left at Wigan at the end of the season when it finally does finish. I don’t know whether he is going to stay but I’m sure that the two clubs and Josh will sort that out. I can’t obviously speculate on that because I don’t know. Josh won’t know.

“He’ll want to finish what he started at Sheffield Wednesday until the end of the season and then see what happens.”