Sheffield Wednesday: Stoke City keen on Keiren Westwood

The shot-stopper is wanted by the Potteries outfit who have sold Lee Grant to Manchester United for £1.6 million and are braced for big-money Premier League interest in their England keeper, Jack Butland.

New boss Gary Rowett, appointed after the club's relegation from the top flight, has identified 33-year-old Westwood as an ideal replacement, the Star understands.

The Owls have strength in depth in goal, with Cameron Dawson and Joe Wildsmith proving their second-tier credentials last term, and could be ready to do business before the window for permanent transfers closes on August 9.

It is well documented that they're keen to reduce the size of their first-team wage bill in their drive to comply with Financial Fair Play regulations

Westwood is in the final year of his contract at Hillsborough, but Wednesday would still be able to demand a decent fee for him.

The keeper, who has made more than 140 appearances in four seasons with the Owls, was left out of the squads for pre-season matches at Bradford City and Mansfield Town last Tuesday.

Manager Jos Luhukay, whose side face Villareal at Hillsborough tomorrow, said the Republic of Ireland international was nursing a minor knee injury, but the keeper later claimed on social media that he was fit.

Butland, back in pre-season training after being a member of England's World Cup squad in Russia and scheduled to play in a friendly in Germany tomorrow, counts Chelsea among his admirers.

Rowett said: "I understand the good players are going to be linked with good clubs. It shows the level Jack Butland is at as a young keeper that those clubs might potentially look at him."

Owls v 'the gangrene man' ... Villareal preview