Jordan Rhodes opens up on his battle to win a new contract at Sheffield Wednesday

But there’s a caveat he believes is worth adding to that notion, that it hasn’t worked out ‘yet’.

The club-record signing, in and then out of the team under a string of former managers, is approaching the end of his contract at Hillsborough and is running out of time to make enough of an impression to earn a new deal at the club.

It’s a new deal he said he wants; despite the huge difficulties he has faced, Jordan Rhodes wants to stay at Sheffield Wednesday.

Once the hottest property in the football league after producing an unrivalled scoring record with Huddersfield and Blackburn, the 30-year-old said that while he knows he has to do it fast, he believes he can scale those heights once more.

“If I didn’t think I can do that, I’d retire tomorrow,” he said bullishly. “Nothing has changed. I know that if given that chance I can be that 20-goal a season striker and be on a team that wins more often that not.

“I’m here in the present, it’s now. There are new managers and players and it’s up to me and everybody else to impress.

“I want to be here. I’ve worked really hard to get here and I have a fond connection with Sheffield Wednesday. I’m desperate to do well.”

Asked the question outright – of whether he believes a new contract is attainable at the club – he told The Star: “Absolutely.

“I know that the only way I’m going to get another contract with Sheffield Wednesday is by doing the business, scoring goals and playing in a team that is winning.

“I know that is the long game, but my short-term aim is to get in the team and to do well.

“I need to work as hard as I can to get myself in the team first and foremost and be a valued team member.”

Rhodes made a goalscoring start to the season alongside Josh Windass but quickly fell down the pecking order behind new faces Callum Paterson, Elias Kachunga and later Jack Marriott. Adam Reach was also used ahead of Rhodes as a member of Garry Monk’s latterly favoured front three.

He sees the entrance of new manager Tony Pulis as a fresh start. Pulis has already suggested that he doesn’t see Paterson as a striker and Rhodes intimated that a ‘back to basics’ method may suit his style of play.

Asked whether he expects to be given more chances in a Wednesday shirt under the new man, Rhodes said: “That would be nice, that’s what every footballer wants to do. They want to be in the thick of things.

“I’d be lying to myself if I didn’t say I’d missed it. I’m desperate to out there and to be part of things. I’ll get myself in the best condition and hopefully will get more minutes out on the pitch than previously.”

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