Why Steve Bruce is confident out-of-contract trio Keiren Westwood, Liam Palmer and Kieran Lee will extend their Sheffield Wednesday stays

The out-of-contract trio have been offered fresh terms and are currently weighing up their options.

Although Bruce has not set Westwood, Palmer or Lee a deadline to make up their minds, the Owls chief hopes talks will swiftly be concluded.

Bruce told The Star: "We are quietly confident they will stay. I sincerely hope that is the case. We will know more very, very shortly."

Relegated Huddersfield Town have been heavily linked with a summer move for Westwood in recent weeks. The Terriers have reportedly offered the experienced goalkeeper a two-year contract.

When asked if he fears Westwood will move on when his present Owls deal comes to an end, Bruce said: "You can never say never but I'm quietly confident that we will get it done."

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It has come as a surprise to some Wednesdayites that the club are looking to retain the services of Lee. A series of injury problems have restricted the midfielder to just two senior appearances in the past 17 months.

After coming on as a late substitute in the penultimate fixture of the 2018/19 campaign against Preston North End, Lee was handed a surprise start in the Owls' final-day defeat to Queens Park Rangers. The 31-year-old played over an hour as Wednesday fell to a 2-1 loss after a last-gasp strike by Matt Smith.

"Kieran has trained with us for two to three weeks," said Bruce. "You can see in training that he is a good player.

"We understand that he has had an awful time with injuries but we think in the long run he will be okay.

"With a good pre-season behind him, Kieran will be like a new player. He covers the ground and distances that I am looking for in a midfield player."

It is understood that Lee, who moved to Hillsborough in May 2012, has been offered a one-year contract extension.

Bruce: "We think it (the offer) suits all parties.

"Kieran has worked extremely hard to come back from injury. We need him to stay fit and let's hope he has a bit of luck and stays fit.

"If we get to Christmas next season and he is fully flying, we will look to tie him a little longer."

Talks are also ongoing with Palmer's representatives, according to Bruce.

"I have been very impressed with Liam," he said. "He has done ever so well in a couple of positions."

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