Sheffield Wednesday exits still possible - admission made on Will Grainger
Sheffield Wednesday have already had a manic summer.
The last shakes of Sheffield Wednesday’s manic summer are still ongoing as some of their youngsters are lined-up for loan departures - though one of their leading lights looks set to stay put for now.
The Owls announced the 18th senior addition of a busy few months on Thursday as Davis Keillor-Dunn’s loan from Wrexham was confirmed. In reality, the weight of activity placed on the club’s recruitment arm has been far greater, with player exits and youth signings also having been undertaken as Wednesday seek to take the first steps on what has already been a transformative period under the club’s new ownership.
They don’t look done and dusted yet, however, with some of the club’s youth players set for temporary stints in non-league as they look to head out for senior experience. Many young players were thrusted into Championship exposure in light of the Owls’ unique struggles last season and may well struggle for comparative exposure to first team football given the influx of senior men to Middlewood Road.
Speaking to The Star, Owls boss Henrik Pedersen suggested loan exits for some of their youngsters were likely: “We are searching the market for some (potential loan clubs),” he said. “Because we can see that the game practice will be not enough. It is very important when you are 20-21 that you need to play football also. So we evaluate the process and we will see how we can make the best individual development plan for the different players.”
One player who it is suggested won’t be leaving in the short term is starboy forward Will Grainger, whose path to first team minutes does appear to have been further stunted with the addition of Keillor-Dunn and other quality attacking options in the last weeks.
The 17-year-old has made 10 senior appearances for the Owls and is expected to remain in contention to add to those outings. Grainger has already featured in under-21 football this season and alongside League One possibility, Wednesday’s EFL Trophy campaign is on the horizon in which the club would be expected to shuffle their pack considerably. When everyone is fully fit, one of six loanees will have to miss out on Wednesday’s matchday squads in league football.
Reflecting on how the addition of more proven figures such as Keillor-Dunn stands to limit Grainger’s immediate opportunities in the first team, Pedersen said: “Of course it is more difficult. But we still have a clear plan with Will. He will also get his game practice for us and we have a clear development plan for his training, for his games. But of course there are good offensive players now. I am sure that we will get him integrated. And he will also get some game practise.”