Jeff Hendrick is confident Sheffield Wednesday can secure an immediate return to the Championship this season.

Former Sheffield Wednesday loanee Jeff Hendrick is backing his former club to mount an automatic promotion push this season, admitting that he expects a close battle for the League One title.

Following Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Huddersfield Town at the Accu Stadium, Wednesday dropped out of the play-off places on goal difference. However, they remain within four points of the League One summit, having played at least one game fewer than each of the six sides currently above them.

Although Wednesday fought back from 2-0 down to secure an unlikely point against the Terriers and extend their unbeaten run in all competitions to eight matches, they are now without a win in their last three League One outings following a hat-trick of draws.

However, with the top two still within touching distance, Wednesday remain among the favourites for automatic promotion this season after assembling a strong squad during a transformative summer transfer window.

And in the opinion of Hendrick, who scored one goal in 12 appearances for the Owls during a loan spell at Hillsborough during the 2023/24 campaign, Wednesday have the quality to escape League One at the first time of asking.

“I think it's going to be a close title race in League One,” said Hendrick, speaking to BOYLE Sports, who offer the latest football odds. “There are some big clubs, some good teams there.

“Sheffield Wednesday, I know the club, I know the players who are there, the manager, and I know the way they want to play. I've trained with the guys and I can see there's quality in there that is higher than League One, let's be honest.

“A lot of the players have had good spells in the Championship, so there's no reason why they shouldn't be aiming for automatic promotion, I'd say. I think they have the quality in the dressing room to go and do it.”