Sheffield Wednesday are still exploring the ‘best solution’ for Ernie Weaver.

The defender, 20, has made just three appearances in all competitions this season after recovering from a long-term injury that ruled him out of the majority of the last campaign, despite initially impressing during The Owls’ struggles in the Championship.

So far this season, the centre-back has featured twice off the bench in the league and played 90 minutes in the EFL Trophy win at Salford City. Last week he played a full game for the under-21s against Huddersfield Town.

Despite Ricardo Santos currently being unavailable due to a groin injury, Wednesday are still well-stocked in central defence with Di’ Shon Bernard, Liam Cooper, Gabriel Otegbayo and Sil Swinkels, with the latter close to returning to fitness. A loan move for Weaver is a possibility, with the National League an option because their transfer window remains open until March.

Providing an update on Weaver before the win against AFC Wimbledon, Henrik Pedersen told The Star: “I had a meeting with Ernie two days ago about the situation. Still, we're speaking loan, no loan, and we are still open to see if we can we can do something or to find the best solution solution for him, so we are in daily contact for what is the best solution for him.”

Fellow youngster Will Grainger, who has also featured in the EFL Trophy, scored in the under-21s’ 5-2 defeat to Huddersfield at Middlewood Road. There are no immediate plans to loan out the Wales youth international so his development will continue in-house. The forward could get more first-team minutes next month in the trophy match at home to Accrington Stanley.

Pedersen added: “He trained always with us and played the cup games, and then with all our games, he'll pursue also the game practice again soon by the first-team.”

Wednesday are back in action on Tuesday night when they make their first visit to Meadow Lane in 14 years to take on Notts County.