Exclusive:Sheffield Wednesday defender edging closer to loan with National League club leading interest
One of Sheffield Wednesday’s young starlets is of heavy interest to a National League club.
Sheffield Wednesday defender Ernie Weaver is the subject of major interest in non-league football as the Owls consider allowing him out on loan, The Star understands.
The 20-year-old Owls academy graduate has made two League One appearances this season at the heart of defence and sat out of last night’s Jersey Mike’s Trophy win over Sunderland under-21s through precaution over a hamstring issue.
Weaver burst into the consciousness of Wednesday supporters last season when he was one of the youngsters to be thrown in to Championship football in what was a crisis campaign before a foot injury ruled him out after nine outings across EFL Cup and league football.
Wednesday are able to loan players out to non-league despite the passing of the transfer window and it is understood that National League side Forest Green Rovers are among the National League clubs keen to take him on loan as he continues his development. The Star understands it is felt Weaver requires regular match action at this stage of his continued development and that the National League provides a good environment for young players, particularly defenders.
Forest Green are understood to be one of a host of fifth-tier clubs interested in the Sheffield-born youngster, though it is The Star’s understanding that they are leading the race should the final decision be made that the 20-year-old heads out on loan.
The impending return of Di’Shon Bernard to full match fitness stands to strengthen Wednesday’s stable in central defence, with senior men Ricardo Santos and Liam Cooper also having hit their stride after pre-season niggles. Sil Swinkels is also set for a return in the near future and Gabriel Otegbayo has featured in every one of the Owls’ matches this season.
Owls sporting director Simon Wilson spoke to The Star last month to describe the advantages a loan agreement with a non-league club can provide to Wednesday, not least in terms of its potential flexibility they can offer when it comes to any need to recall.
“I think it’s really important that young players go and get senior football this period,” he said at the start of September. “Non-league is actually a fantastic place to loan to because it’s a good level of football, certainly in the National League and some of the National League North. It’s strong teams, good crowds.
“We’re so unique in this country that you get multiple thousands of people watching games in the fifth and sixth tier. It’s pressure. It’s men’s football. But also you can be flexible with loan situations.”
Wednesday have a number of young players out on loan in non-league. Defender Joe Emery is with National League North side South Sheilds and has earned rave reviews for his start to life in the North East, while youth internationals Devlan Moses and Logan Stretch are on loan with Buxton FC in the same division. Reece Johnson is with National League side Eastleigh.