Sheffield Wednesday handed triple contract boost after EFL decision - it's good news for Barry Bannan hopes | OneFootball

The Owls should be able to sign all three players, if they want to come back, due to a change of the wording of the embargo rules.

Sheffield Wednesday have received a boost in their hopes of retaining the services of Barry Bannan, Akin Famewo and Callum Paterson beyond this summer following an EFL decision.

The trio were the only ones of the 11 players who were set to leave Hillsborough this summer that didn't have options to extend their existing deals, to be offered fresh terms.

Bannan has established himself as a club hero and, even in these dark times, it may be considered slightly surprising if he were to turn down Wednesday's offer and head somewhere else.

Famewo and Paterson both have reported opportunities to leave the chaos of Hillsborough behind them. Newly promoted Charlton Athletic have been named as a potential landing spot for the centre-back.

Sheffield Wednesday handed triple contract boosts after EFL decision

Even though all three players received offers, there was a point where it looked like the Owls wouldn't be able to sign them should they all accept the deals that have been handed to them.

The EFL have placed Wednesday under an embargo following chairman Dejphon Chansiri failing to pay the club's players, coaches and staff on time.

Per the terms of the embargo, this limited the club to having only 23 players of 'professional standing'.

Wednesday have 21 players who fall into the professional standing category, which would mean that they wouldn't be allowed to sign Bannan, Famewo and Paterson.

However, the EFL have changed their wording surrounding these rules, recategorising the players of professional standing as 'permitted players'. Clubs under embargoes still aren't allowed to have more than 23 of these players on their books, but what constitutes a permitted player has changed.

They are classed as: "Any player who has, at any point during his career, started in 3 League Matches in the same or higher division as the Club that the player is currently registered with, or is registered with the Club during the period of time that the Club is subject to a registration embargo."

Wednesday have 17 players who fall into this category, as per The Star, and would therefore be able to sign Bannan, Famewo and Paterson should they decide to return to the club this summer.

Famewo and Paterson should be hesitant about a Sheffield Wednesday return

Given the current financial situation at Hillsborough, in which players have been left frustrated by the lack of clarity and communication from the top of the club over when they will be paid their May wages, it's hard to see the likes of Famewo and Paterson committing to staying with the Owls.

Bannan is a slightly different case. His reputation has been built on helping the club through their hard times. He may see this as his next challenge, being there to stabilise Wednesday in yet another dark hour.

For the other two, who have other options on the table, why would Hillsborough be your first choice? That question will not only affect the three who've been offered new deals, but also any new players that Wednesday will hope to sign, if the embargo is lifted.