The threadbare squad a worst-case scenario could see Sheffield Wednesday left with this season

Sheffield Wednesday could feasibly be reduced to a squad of just 13 senior outfield players – including teenagers Osaze Urhoghide and Alex Hunt – for the final weeks of their Championship campaign.
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It’s an unlikely and worst-case scenario, but like clubs across the division there is uncertainty over how their squad will look beyond the end of several permanent and loan contracts at the end of June.

The club appear confident of securing extensions to several soon-to-be out-of-contract players and are understood to have entered negotiations with the parent clubs of some of their loan players in an effort to maintain squad depth as the season rolls on into July.

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The EFL have confirmed plans for a June 20 restart. Wednesday have nine matches remaining and without an extended pre-season to fine-tune their fitness will play those matches within 31 days, placing further strain on what could be a reduced squad.

Fernando Forestieri is one Sheffield Wednesday player whose contract runs out at the end of June. (pic via @swfc)Fernando Forestieri is one Sheffield Wednesday player whose contract runs out at the end of June. (pic via @swfc)
Fernando Forestieri is one Sheffield Wednesday player whose contract runs out at the end of June. (pic via @swfc)

Charlton Athletic have confirmed that three players including star forward Lyle Taylor have chosen against finishing the season with the club as any injury could jeopardise a summer move. Speaking to the media last week Owls boss Garry Monk said that no player is yet to voice any concern over completing the season.

Star men Steven Fletcher and Morgan Fox have been offered new deals and The Star understands that while a one-year contract was discussed with the representatives of Fernando Forestieri last year, the forward is yet to hear anything more recently.

The club announced contract extensions for Urhoghide and midfielder Joey Pelupessy last week as well as Matt Penney, whose loan at German second-tier side St Pauli means he’ll play no further part in the Owls’ current campaign.

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Monk also confirmed that the club intended to enter negotiations with the parent clubs of his loanees, although reports in Germany have suggested the Owls have no intention of extending the stay of Hamburg-owned defender David Bates.

The confirmed July Owls squad so far:

Goalkeepers; Dawson, Wildsmith, Westwood Defenders; Palmer, Urhoghide, Odubajo, Iorfa, Lees, Borner Midfielders; Bannan, Pelupessy, Luongo, Hunt, Harris, Reach Strikers; Rhodes

Contracts up; Jones, Fox, Hutchinson, Lee, Nuhiu, Fletcher, Winnall, Forestieri

Loans up; Bates, Murphy, Da Cruz, Windass, Wickham

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