Mystery over the future of Sheffield Wednesday top scorer Steven Fletcher as restart looms

Mystery surrounds Steven Fletcher’s short-term future at Sheffield Wednesday just two days out from the club’s restart clash against Nottingham Forest.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

The Owls top scorer is out of contract at the end of the month and has stalled on the offer a new deal with seven of the club’s nine remaining fixtures scheduled to take place in July.

A number of Championship players have refused to finish the season with their current clubs in order to guard against a move-scuppering injury and whilst there is no confirmation on Fletcher’s position, concerns were raised last week when Fletcher, 33, was not pictured in Wednesday’s training session at Hillsborough.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Aside from Sam Winnall the entire first-team squad is understood to have trained. More definitive answers are expected when Garry Monk speaks to the media this morning.

Owls boss Garry Monk later said that he had ‘one or two niggles’ in his squad but speaking to the media yesterday Wednesday midfielder Adam Reach appeared to confirm that Fletcher was fit despite his absence from the session.

“Steven is fit,” Reach told The Star. “I’m not sure if on that day he was just not pictured or whether he was resting or having some physio work, I’m not sure. As far as I know he’s fit.

“The gaffer has tough decisions to make all over the place. We have a 25-plus squad who are all ready to fight, players are playing for new contracts, they’re playing for extended contracts, they’re playing to get their face in the window for other clubs maybe.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Steven will hopefully be in that selection. He’s looked sharp since he’s come back.

It remains a mystery as to whether Steven Fletcher will be available for selection for Sheffield Wednesday's clash with Nottingham Forest on Saturday.It remains a mystery as to whether Steven Fletcher will be available for selection for Sheffield Wednesday's clash with Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
It remains a mystery as to whether Steven Fletcher will be available for selection for Sheffield Wednesday's clash with Nottingham Forest on Saturday.

“Hopefully he plays in the two games and hopefully he plays past that as well. But that remains to be seen, I’m sure discussions are going on now.”

Reach remains hopeful that those with dwindling contracts would play on, a list including Fletcher, Morgan Fox, Fernando Forestieri, Kieran Lee and Atdhe Nuhiu.

“I think understandably they’re keeping their cards close to their chests because they don’t want anything to come out or for anyone to prejudge them on anything.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“I’d like to think that all players will be available for the two games, they’re under contract for those games.

“Beyond that it’s between them and the club to organise something. We’re experienced enough to know that some players are going to leave and some are going to re-join, that’s football.”

On Fletcher in particular he said: “Naturally, any time you lose your top goalscorer you take a hit. We’re just hoping the club and him can come to an agreement.

“I’m personally very good friends with Steven and I think he would be a miss not only on the pitch but with his personality and experience in the dressing room, it’s been really important this year, he’s carried us not only in terms of goals but his experience has carried us at times.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Hopefully we’re doing everything we can to hold on to him. He’s looking as fit an as strong as I’ve ever seen him in his career and he wouldn’t disagree with that.”

MORE FROM OUR WEDNESDAY WRITING TEAM:

An important message:

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news, please consider a subscription to The Star by going to thestar.co.uk/subscriptions.

The coronavirus lockdown is having a major impact on many of our local advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive. That means we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers and subscribe to our website during this crisis.

Stay safe and take care. Thank you.