Newcastle United's returning former Sheffield Wednesday man can be example as Owls look to shake Mark McGuinness blow

At one time the Owls had seven loans in the building during the last campaign, a result partly down to the club being unable to spend during the 2021 summer transfer window due to transfer restrictions and having seen a number of free transfer options negotiate and sign elsewhere with a soft registration embargo not lifted until July.

Wednesday were beholden to the loan market.

This summer? Not so much. Reece James came in with half an eye on the possibility of a permanent transfer down the line and it became clear that there was no January recall clause in the terms of his deal – he was effectively signed on a one-year contract. Alex Mighten was seen as the sprinkling of x-factor potential on an otherwise solid squad.

In between came Mark McGuinness, a classy young defender who would likely not even have stepped foot through the door of Wednesday’s changing room had it not been for injury to Akin Famewo at MK Dons all those months ago.

There’s no sugarcoating the fact that news broken by The Star that McGuinness is set for a recall to South Wales is a huge blow. It seems the FA Cup clash with Newcastle this weekend will offer an opportunity for him to wave goodbye.

The Star understands that even up until a few days ago, sources close to both ends of the deal expected McGuinness to stay on at S6 and continue a run of form that has saw him earn back-to-back player of the month awards. Alas.

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So what next?

If Wednesday are to dip into the loan market once more for answers, their position has been strengthened by McGuinness’ stint. Clubs higher up the pyramid know Wednesday offer a rare concoction – League One football and sky-high expectation levels.

To thrive their way out of a loan spell at Hillsborough would make any young footballer a stronger person and player. And while there was something of a dearth of truly successful loans for a few years, Wednesday have hugely positive examples to point at this January.

One of those is Jordan Storey of course, who himself has spoken positively of the impact the Owls experience. Storey arrived having been unceremoniously shunted down the pecking order at Preston North End. After half a season at S6 he’s returned stronger and as one of their key players.

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Another makes his return to Hillsborough this weekend a completely different player to the one that scored on his Owls debut back in August 2019.

Jacob Murphy’s arc of improvement at S6 was truly remarkable – in his opening weeks a shadow of a player exuding a painful lack of confidence. Talk of returning to become a Newcastle regular seemed fanciful. By the end he had nine goals and was the Owls’ star man for much of a torrid campaign.

Three seasons on he has withheld the Saudi money influx to feature in 18 of their 19 Premier League matches and has spoken of his Wednesday loan being a turning point.

All of a sudden, Hillsborough can be an attractive destination for loanees. The proof is out there after all.