Sheffield Wednesday's training stance on Duncan Watmore - and on a potential deal
Sheffield Wednesday are done for now when it comes to new additions to the squad - though exploratory plans are being made to strengthen in January.
The Owls are cut adrift at the bottom of the Championship after a second points deduction shunted them to a tally of -10 points - some 27 points short of the safety places. With 28 matches remaining in the campaign, fan focus is shifting to the future of the club from new ownership to the forthcoming transfer window and a re-set in League One.
What business can be done in January is not yet ratified, but it is expected as things stand that once the club exit administration they will be allowed to head back into the free agent and loans markets.
One free agent Wednesday are known to have taken a look at in recent weeks is Duncan Watmore, the former Sunderland and Middlesbrough attacker who has been without a club since leaving Millwall in the summer. The Owls were granted permission to sign two free agents but Watmore’s fellow trialist joined Liam Cooper in signing last week. Rotherham United are understood to have heavy interest in signing the 31-year-old among other League One clubs.
The Star understands that Wednesday have told Watmore he is welcome to continue training at Middlewood Road while he seeks new employment. Whether or not he remains available by the time the Owls are able to strengthen their squad further remains to be seen - and while recognising the physical challenges faced by a player who underwent surgery earlier this year, boss Henrik Pedersen didn’t rule out a potential return to discussions.
“He has done really well here,” Pedersen told The Star. “We know that he has a fight with his body, but he has trained really well, he has been so good in the dressing room when he supports and helps all the boys. So from the football side he has done it really well and also from the personal side. Really good. Let's see, it is too early to say anything about January in this direction.”