Sheffield Wednesday having a closer look at ex-Liverpool attacker, Okera Simmonds

The 20-year-old was spotted playing for the Owls’ U23s last week, starting the game against Birmingham City as Lee Bullen’s side were beaten 2-1 at Hillsborough in a bit of a smash and grab performance from the visitors.

Now, The Star understands that he has spent a bit of time training with Garry Monk’s first team as they continue to assess him, with the Owls boss seemingly eager to run the rule over some of the more high-profile youngsters that have come through the door – he did the same with Korede Adedoyin before he signed.

At this point in time it remains to be seen whether the former Blackburn Rovers and Accrington Stanley youngster has a future at Hillsborough or not, but Bullen did seem impressed with him when he featured for Wednesday’s youngsters last week.

The U23 coach told The Star after the game, “To be fair to him, for the time he was on I thought he did well. He handled it, was a physical presence and understood the game plan with the high press and trying to set the triggers to force Birmingham to give us back the ball.

“So he’s one we’ll look at again, but it’s very difficult for any trialist nowadays. With the club and their finances, we’ve got to be careful who we bring in.”

It is thought that Simmonds may feature for the U23s once again this week in a friendly during the international break, while it could offer the chance for Chey Dunkley to get back out on the field again if the medical team see fit.

Osaze Urhoghide, who has been out for a while with a knee injury, has used the U23s to get himself closer to senior match fitness over the course of the last month, and Monk admitted that that is also the next step for Dunkley as he seeks to close in on his Owls debut following his summer switch from Wigan Athletic.

The U23s’ next competitive game is against Cardiff City on October 20th as the go in search of their first win of the season.

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