Update after defender linked with shock loan move out of Sheffield Wednesday

A national media report concluded that Palmer could be open to a late loan move away from Hillsborough having started down the pecking order at Wednesday this season.

The Scotland international, who pulled out of their triple-bill of matches with a back injury suffered in the Owls’ draw with QPR last week, is eyeing up a place in their squad for next year’s European Championships after a penalty shootout win over Israel put only Serbia between them and their first major tournament qualification since 1998.

Palmer has started only one of Wednesday’s four league games so far this season and the report suggests he is fearful that a loss of game time could result in him losing his Scotland place.

The versatile wing-back, who has also performed well on the right of a back three in Garry Monk’s favoured system, is Wednesday’s longest-serving player having made 265 first team appearances since his debut over a decade ago.

Asked about Palmer last month, Owls boss Monk suggested the 29-year-old had a ‘new challenge’ laid down before him after suffering what he described as a ‘slump’ in recent months.

A number of long-serving players have been moved on from the club this year as Monk seeks to shake up a changing room he believes was allowed to become ‘too comfortable for too long’.

Monk said on Palmer: “There’s competition, we’ve tried to make that demand higher by pushing them out of the comfort zones they’ve been in before, Palms been here a long time, he’s done really, really well.

“He had a bit of a slump but now he’s ready to go again, so that’s the challenge in front of him. But as a guy and as a pro, he’s fantastic.

“There’s competition there, in those areas he’s been working. Maybe before he’s felt a bit comfortable, maybe he knows there’s competition now, but he’s a great pro.

“He passes that on, the way he is around the lads, the way he trains, looks after himself.

“He’s one of the more senior ones in and around a younger group. That’s what we’re trying to do with the squad.”

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