Reece James is in Sheffield Wednesday’ squad for the friendly against Accrington Stanley.

The left-back, who promotion with The Owls from League One in 2023, has been training with the team since the middle of this week and is with the squad for the Saturday lunchtime kick-off at The Wham Stadium. His inclusion allowed young left-sider Reece Johnson to join Eastleigh on loan for the season.

The Star understands James is just training with Wednesday for now. He has been with Bradford City earlier this pre-season.

James, 32, is a free agent after leaving Rotherham United at the end of last season. The defender made 45 appearances for Wednesday between 2022 and 2024, winning promotion at Wembley against Barnsley in the play-off final. He also scored the third goal in the epic semi-final comeback against Peterborough United.

James, who was a popular figure with supporters, has spent the last two seasons at The Millers but is without a club after their relegation to League Two. He made 38 appearances last term.

In other team news, this week’s new signings Connal Trueman and Mason Burstow start at Accrington. Yan Valery and Liam Cooper also start.

LINE-UP: Trueman, Valery, Weaver, Cooper, James; Thornton, Oliver; McNeill, Grainger, Gray; Burstow.

SUBS: Streets, McGhee, Emery, Martin, Sopala, Akpobi, Moses.