The 6 Sheffield Wednesday players likely to never play for the club again | OneFootball

Highlights

Sheffield Wednesday are facing a big rebuild during what will be a crucial summer for the club.

Wednesday's main priority will be keeping hold of manager Danny Rohl, who has done an outstanding job at Hillsborough since replacing Xisco Munoz in October.

Rohl is said to be on Sunderland's list of targets as they continue their search for a permanent successor to Michael Beale, and there is likely to be further interest in the German over the coming months.

Owner Dejphon Chansiri must provide Rohl with backing in the transfer market this summer to convince him to remain at the club, but that seems uncertain given that most of the Owls' 16 signings this season were loans or free transfers.

With the season now concluded, Wednesday's seven remaining loan players, Jeff Hendrick, Ashley Fletcher, Momo Diaby, James Beadle, Ike Ugbo and Ian Poveda and Kristian Pedersen, will now return to their parent clubs.

The Owls also have 19 players out of contract this summer, and while they will be desperate to tie down the likes of Barry Bannan and Josh Windass, there could be a number of departures.

With that in mind, we looked at which Wednesday players have likely played their last game for the club.

Reece James

Defender James initially joined Wednesday on loan from Blackpool in July 2022 before making the move permanent in the summer.

James played a key role in the Owls' promotion-winning campaign last season, scoring one goal and registering four assists in 34 appearances in all competitions, excelling at centre-back, left-back and in midfield.

However, James has found himself out of favour under both Munoz and Rohl this season, with the likes of Akin Famewo and Marvin Johnson preferred ahead of him at left-back, and the arrival of Kristian Pedersen on loan from Swansea City in January pushed him further down the pecking order.

It seems that James is not part of Rohl's plans, with the likelihood of League One interest in his services this summer, it would be no surprise to see him depart.

George Byers

Midfielder Byers is one player that Wednesday supporters will not want to see leave the club this summer, but his exit looks inevitable.

Byers scored six goals and provided three assists in 29 appearances for the Owls last season, and he was a regular in the first half of this campaign, netting one goal and registering one assist in 22 games.

However, many of Byers' minutes came as a substitute following Rohl's arrival in October, and he was loaned out to League One side Blackpool in January.

Byers impressed for the Seasiders as they missed out on the play-offs on the final day of the season, but with his contract at Hillsborough expiring, it remains to be seen whether his performances at Bloomfield Road have been enough to earn him a new deal with his parent club.

Rohl insisted there was no issue between him and Byers after he joined Blackpool, but his release seems the most likely outcome this summer.

Tyreeq Bakinson

Midfielder Bakinson joined the Owls from Bristol City in July 2022, and he scored one goal and provided one assist in 32 appearances in all competitions last season, but he fell out of favour over the course of the campaign.

Bakinson was surprisingly handed an opportunity by Munoz at the start of the season, but he was sidelined once again by Rohl, and he made a loan move to League One side Charlton Athletic in January.

The 25-year-old helped the Addicks secure survival under Nathan Jones, but he was not a regular starter during his time at The Valley, and with his contract at Hillsborough expiring, he looks certain to be released.

Mallik Wilks

After a lengthy pursuit, Wilks finally arrived at Hillsborough from Hull City in August 2022.

There was plenty of excitement among Owls supporters about the signing of Wilks, but he failed to live up to those expectations, scoring just two goals and providing five assists in 26 appearances in all competitions during an injury-disrupted campaign last season.

Wilks has continued to be plagued by injury this season, but he has not taken his chance whenever fit, and it seems highly unlikely that he will feature regularly next term.

It has not worked out for the winger at Wednesday, and the club may be hoping to recoup some of the transfer fee they paid for him this summer.

Michael Smith

Striker Smith made the move across South Yorkshire to join Wednesday from local rivals Rotherham United in June 2022, and he scored 20 goals and registered eight assists in 49 games in all competitions to help the Owls to promotion last season.

However, Smith's minutes became limited in the Championship, and according to BBC Derby Sport, Derby County made a loan offer for the 32-year-old in January, including a "significant wage contribution", but Wednesday were said to be "demanding an excessive fee in return".

With the Rams achieving promotion from League One, they could now have the funds to complete a deal for Smith, and it would be no surprise to see them reignite their interest.

Smith is a useful option for the Owls, but he does not fit into Rohl's style of play, and he looks likely to move on this summer, whether that is to Pride Park or elsewhere.

Lee Gregory

Striker Gregory is another fan favourite who looks destined to leave Hillsborough this summer.

Gregory scored 11 goals and provided six assists in 47 appearances in all competitions during the Owls promotion-winning season last term, and he remained a regular at the start of this season under Munoz.

However, Gregory fell out of favour following Rohl's arrival, making just one substitute appearance since the end of October, and frequently being left out of the matchday squad altogether.

Derby and Mansfield Town were among those who were keen to sign Gregory in January, but terms could not be agreed with Wednesday, leaving many supporters questioning why Chansiri did not sanction the exit of a player who is clearly not part of Rohl's plans.

Gregory is certain to be released at the end of his contract, but Wednesday fans will always be grateful to him for his contribution over the last three years.