Josh Windass developments at Sheffield Wednesday are sad for all parties: View | OneFootball

Josh Windass is the epitome of Sheffield Wednesday.

The outspoken but hugely talented midfielder scored the last-minute winner in the play-off final to send the Owls to the Championship last season, contributing to 23 goals in all competitions.

Able to play across the frontline, Windass's versatility and eye for goal have endeared him to the Wednesday faithful.

He has become a fan favourite among Wednesday fans since his move from Wigan Athletic, but has struggled with injuries this year - as he did two seasons ago - and hasn't played for the club since the January 31.

The Englishman also faces renewed competition for his place in the side from loanee Ike Ugbo, who has scored six times since arriving from Ligue 2 outfit Troyes in January.

The 30-year-old has suffered a further setback in his recovery from injury, and whilst it was hoped he'd be back after the international break, there are now concerns he will miss more action as Wednesday approach the final few months of the season.

Windass is out of contract in the summer and, despite a proven track record in League One and the Championship, conversations around his future won't disappear until he can be trusted again by manager Danny Rohl.

Windass's injury setback could see him miss the Championship run-in

Windass missed much of last season's run-in through injury, but returned to play every minute of Wednesday's play-off games - eventually netting the goal that secured promotion against Barnsley.

His recent setback, however, looks as if it will keep him out of action for longer than anticipated and with just eight games to go, Wednesday will be hoping Windass can recover in time to provide the same sort of impact he managed in the play-off final.

Canadian forward Ugbo has deputised admirably, but Rohl will be keen to get Windass back into the fold if only to take some of the attacking burden off the ex-Chelsea man.

Josh Windass' Sheffield Wednesday career could be coming to an end

Windass has been at Wednesday since 2020, helping them to promotion back to the Championship and remaining a consistent source of goals.

The former Rangers man has proven his ability at second tier level in England, and with his contract up in the summer, he could leave Wednesday were they to fail to secure their Championship status for next season.

Windass has also had interest from America and Argentina and is free to sign a pre-contract agreement at clubs in those countries, having entered the final six months of his contract.

Wednesday are prepared to open talks over a new deal for Windass, who has played the best football of his career in South Yorkshire, but any agreement would likely wait until the end of the season.

The Owls return to action after the international break at home to Swansea City just one point away from safety.

But with games running out, they desperately need to put a run of results together if they're to avoid the drop.

No team has scored fewer goals than Wednesday in the Championship this season (30), and despite an upturn in results recently, they are sorely missing a fully firing Windass.

Windass was picking up form just before his injury, and Wednesday will be hoping he can return revitalised to score the goals to keep them up, but it is sad for everyone involved that he cannot be on the pitch to help his club try and escape the drop zone.

Aside from Ugbo, goals aren't coming from any other attacking outlets on a consistent basis, so a fully-fit Windass would be helpful after the international break for Danny Rohl, but there's no guarantee of that, and the attacker's time at Hillsborough may come to an end this summer with a whimper.