Sheffield Wednesday's Ernie Weaver loan stance explained - where he stands next to Gabriel Otegbayo
Sheffield Wednesday will continue to consider the next stage of Ernie Weaver’s development.
A loan move away to the National League for Sheffield Wednesday defender Ernie Weaver has been placed on hold in the immediate future, The Star understands, though it could well be revisited in the coming weeks.
Momentum behind a temporary switch to Forest Green Rovers appeared to be building earlier this week, though it has since been suggested to The Star that things will stay as they are for now, with a host of other fifth-tier clubs keeping a close eye on the situation.
Weaver, 20, has featured in two League One matches so far this season with the Owls well-stocked in terms of numbers at centre-half. Di’Shon Bernard is in contention for a place in the squad this weekend after a long, long injury lay-off, though the wait goes on for Sil Swinkels, with a fresh concern over Ricardo Santos to be monitored in the coming days.
The development of Weaver is said to be a keen priority and talk around a potential loan move has been informed in no small part by a desire on the players’ part to head out and play regular football, Pedersen said.
“Ernie is a very important talent for us and we look at him as we look at the other talents we have,” the Owls boss said. “The combination of good training and game practise is very, very important to make a top individual development.
“He has got some game practise in the cup games, a little bit in the league, but of course we're also looking for possibilities to go out on loan where he can get regular game practise week after week. So let's see what happens. Right now we look at what is the best solution for Ernie and not only what is the best solution for us.”
Another young player seemingly set within the Wednesday squad is Gabriel Otegbayo, who has featured in every match so far this season across league and cup. Pedersen has previously described a period of adjustment for Weaver in rising to the improved standards of training in pre-season but believes the young defensive pair are now close in terms of their position within the squad.
The preference of Weaver to get out on loan and experience regular senior minutes is clearly a big driver in any decision to allow him out temporarily - and is not a case of him being sent out on loan because he is at the bottom of a defensive pecking order. The Star understands the National League is seen internally at the club as a fine breeding ground for young players, particularly defenders.
“Gabe and him are very similar,” Pedersen continued. “Gabe has been in front of him and Ernie has worked really hard in the pre-season to come back and I think he has developed over the last three or four weeks. He has been really, really strong. So it has also been a wish from Ernie to come out and get game practise more than it was us saying ‘Now you have to go because you will not play’.
“Ernie will still have possibilities where he will play, he will be in the squad and he will also get game practise. But to make the best possible development, then young players also need to play regularly and it is a big wish from him.”
Asked whether the pause on a loan out for Weaver was a direct result of an injury concern for Ricardo Santos - and whether the fate of any temporary move could hang on the results of scans to determine the seriousness of his injury, Pedersen said: “I think it does not matter, it could be a possibility that he can go on loan. Sil will also soon be back. We look at the whole picture - but we also listen to our players.”