The latest on Matt Penney’s future amid reports of a Sheffield Wednesday exit to John Sheridan's Swindon Town

The 22-year-old academy graduate, who has played only seven minutes of Championship football since he was substituted in a September draw with Watford, has been rumoured to be heading towards the exit door. A loan move to John Sheridan’s Swindon Town has been mooted as the most likely destination.

Penney, who returned from a successful season-long loan at German second tier outfit St Pauli ahead of this campaign, started with a man of the match cameo in an opening day Carabao Cup tie at Walsall.

But further cup involvement and two starts in the first two matches of the league season aside, Penney has been a spectator of his beloved Owls, pushed into the under-23s under Garry Monk and left on the bench by Tony Pulis.

In caretaker boss Neil Thompson, Penney now has a man in charge that knows him well. His contract runs out this summer.

Asked about the Swindon links, Thompson said: “I’ve heard what you have, the rumours that fly around. But as far as I’m concerned there’s nothing concrete, no real discussions from our end.

“Matty has got to force the issue in terms of getting in the team.”

Thompson oversaw much of Penney’s development in the Owls’ youth set-up. Few coaches know him better.

And though he acknowledged the frustration the left-back has had from time to time this season, he said it is ultimately the lively youngster who needs to force his way back into first team contention.

“It’s been stop-start for him,” he said. “He started off in the team, then he came out of it. But Matt knows what he’s got to do. I’ve had conversations with him many times.

“The boy has talent, there’s no question of that, but there are certain things he needs to brush up on, which he knows about.

“But he’s a good pro. I spoke to him yesterday, he was out on a run keeping himself ticking over.

“He’s very professional in what he’s doing, so whatever comes his way, he’ll be ready.”

Wednesday’s squad has been touched by a coronavirus outbreak and it is unknown whether Penney will be involved in tomorrow’s FA Cup tie at Exeter City.

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