Owls sign Sodje but could miss out on brother

Defender Sam seemed Hillsborough-bound earlier in the week but Charlton have made a late, beat-the-deadline swoop to take him on loan from Reading and scupper Brian Laws's hopes of landing him for the rest of the season.

Wednesday have also signed left winger Etienne Esajas from Vitesse Arnhem.

Laws said today of the Sam Sodje saga. "This has dragged on and dragged on. The player himself said he was coming. Then I get a call saying Charlton have come in for him, and are throwing money at it, even to have him on loan.

"Charlton have a bundle of money and are looking for centre half.

"Whether Sam is going to play remains to be seen - they've got a big squad."

Laws said he thought Sodje would choose the London club - the defender will also not have to uproot.

The Wednesday chief has already made inquiries about alternative targets.

Laws still hopes to sign a centre half before tomorrow night's deadline; if he cannot, then he will look to take someone on a short-term loan when the loan window-reopens in 10 days' time.

The Akpo Sodje deal - thought to be worth 250,000-plus - has been completed with the striker signing a three-year contract, like winger Esajas.

Sodje will be in the squad to face Bristol City on Saturday. It is less certain that Esajas will figure against Bristol City.

Said Laws. "We are awaiting international clearance for Etienne; and we are not sure if that will arrive in time for the weekend.

"Akpo scored 16 goals last season and hopefully he'll score goals for us, with better players around. He's a good athlete, quick and strong, and caused us problems in our pre-season friendly; hopefull he'll cause a lot of Championship defences problems."

The signing of triallist Esajas for an undisclosed fee marks the end of a bid to sign a mystery Hungarian left winger whose price soared after he recently became a full international and who has become a target for Italian clubs. Laws decided that Spanish left-side triallist Igor Angulo would not improve the squad.

Speculation continues to surround Glenn Whelan and Stoke are believed to have made an inquiry. But Laws has been assured that the Owls are not looking to sell the 1.5m-rated midfield man.

Wednesday Reserves beat Lincoln 2-0 away with goals by Matt Bowman and Dave McClements. A mostly young side included Lee Bullen, Yoann Folly and Peter Gilbert.

Former Owls loan star Kenwyne Jones - a 2m target for the club earlier in the summer - has joined Sunderland from Southampton for 6m.