Sheffield Wednesday striker Sam Winnall admits future at club is 'out of his control' as contract nears end

The 28-year-old has had a stop-start career at Hillsborough since his arrival from south Yorkshire rivals Barnsley in January 2017, but has found himself back in the side under Garry Monk of late thanks in part to illness to top scorer Steven Fletcher.

In terms of his future beyond this season, though, he accepts the decision will be with the club. Asked whether he had entered discussions about his future, he said: “Not yet.

“That's still too far in the future to talk about yet. I have to take every day by day, keep doing exactly what I'm doing, which is working hard, and trying to be successful for this football club.”

Winnall hopes committed performances from the bench in the defeat at Stoke and for 90 minutes in Sunday’s 2-1 defeat to Cardiff can be the start of an extended period in the team.

He baulked at the idea of pursuing a loan move away from the club and asked whether he would like to remain a Wednesday player beyond the summer, he said his focus is on the short-term, and putting a stamp on the club he has failed to provide thus far.

“It depends on if I've got the option. That's out of my control,” he said.

“Like I say, I don’t want to look too far into the future, I want to concentrate on getting myself into the team. That's the most important thing at this time.

“I've got six months left on my contract so a loan move is irrelevant. That's out of the question. I don't know, whatever happens in January happens.

“I'm trying to focus on every day playing for Sheffield Wednesday and whatever will be will be.

“Of course I believe in myself. I believe that if I have a run of games I can help this side. Otherwise there's no point in being here is there?”