Sheffield Wednesday boss Garry Monk explains why he let defender go in January transfer window

Baker joined Newport County for an undisclosed fee on Monday, having failed to make a single appearance for the Owls this season.

The 23-year-old, who played 13 in all competitions for Wednesday following his release by Cardiff City, signed an 18-month contract with the League Two side.

Baker could make his Newport debut against Swindon Town on Saturday.

He follows fellow defender Jordan Thorniley in departing Hillsborough this month. Thorniley moved to League One outfit Blackpool on New Year's Day.

Owls boss Monk told The Star: "It was similar with Jordan. They're not young lads anymore.

"They're just past that period of being an Under-23s player or whatever it may be.

"We had good discussions with those two and the question was 'were they going to push into the first team this season?' Likely not.

"It's also about their ambition, to go and get games and get their own career going. You have to respect both and understand that.

"We had good discussions with the pair of them and they wanted to go and get their careers going.

"They are not young 18, 19 year-olds anymore. They're moving into the age where they should be playing first team football and they weren't quite getting that here.

"It's part of our job as a club to make sure they move on to that and I think all parties were happy with that.