Exclusive:Sheffield Wednesday star Pierce Charles in raised injury concern amid interest from West Ham and Rangers
There is concern at Sheffield Wednesday that an injury to Pierce Charles will prove more serious than first thought, The Star understands.
The talented goalkeeper has played every minute of their three-game campaign to date and has been a standout figure, making as many as 19 saves in total and 14 in the Championship alone - four more than any goalkeeper in the division. It’s form that will have impressed a long list of suitors, with French club Strasbourg believed to have retained an interest despite having a bid somewhere in the region of £2m turned down last week.
Northern Ireland international Charles suffered what was believed to be a minor shoulder injury last week but featured in their defeat to Stoke City over the weekend. Now, The Star understands that tests have revealed the issue is more serious than first thought and sources suggest there are major concerns he will face a spell on the sidelines in recovery.
With 18 senior appearances and six full international caps, Charles is Wednesday’s only senior stopper. Wales youth international Logan Stretch, 18, has served as back-up so far but has yet to make his first team debut, while the likes of Killian Barrett and Jack Phillips are highly rated but untested.
The 20-year-old Charles has been the subject of interest from the likes of West Ham United and Rangers as well as other clubs including Strasbourg. Manager Henrik Pedersen has spoken of his keenness to keep hold of the young keeper despite mounting financial issues at the club that have seen major playing assets sold off in previous months to satisfy salary commitments to the club’s workforce.
“In the moment we are doing all we can to find a solution so that we can get players in,” Pedersen told The Star over the weekend. “I am hoping we don’t sell anyone, we need the players that we have now and to keep them is very, very important, especially when we have the challenge to sign new ones. So I do really hope we can keep the players.”
Pressed on what conversations he has had with owner Dejphon Chansiri with regard to Charles’ future, Pedersen said: “We have had dialogue that we want to keep him and we want to get new players in.”