The Loan Rangers

After countless loanees utilised down at S6 last season, who has Dave Jones got his eye on to make a return for the next campaign?

Connor Wickham (Sunderland)

Despite being re-called early by then boss Martin O’Neill, Connor Wickham made quite an impression during his short stay with The Owls last season. Although he only managed one goal during his stay at S6, it proved to be crucial, coming in the 1-0 away win at Leicester City. News coming out of Sunderland suggests that the England U21 International is due another loan spell away from The Stadium of Light as former fan’s favourite and current Black Cats boss, Paolo Di Canio, looks to strengthen his attacking options. Do us a favour eh Paolo?

Ross Barkley (Everton)

One of the shining loan stars brought to the club by Dave Jones was the addition of midfielder Ross Barkley from Everton. The youngster would go on to make a further loan move to Yorkshire rivals Leeds United during the course of the season as David Moyes looked to gain some league experience for the 19-year-old. With Roberto Martinez now confirmed as the new gaffer over at Goodison Park, it’s likely that he’ll want to assess the entire squad during pre-season before making any decisions on the immediate futures of Barkely and alike. One thing’s for certain, DJ would jump at the chance of another loan deal.

Steve Howard (Hartlepool United)

‘Big’ Steve Howard was signed up for the final month of the campaign on an emergency loan deal from League Two outfit Hartlepool United. In what was a shock transfer for most Wednesdayites, Howard managed to keep out the likes of Gary Madine in a front two partnership with fellow loanee, Leroy Lita. It was also Howard’s only goal for the Owls which sent them on the way to survival, scoring in the last game of the season in the 2-0 win over Middlesbrough.  Maybe Dave Jones will be tempted to bring back the veteran front man as another attacking option for next season?

Jeremy Helan (Manchester City)

Signed initially as a covering left back for the injured Reda Johnson, Helan was eventually moved further up the field to cement a place on the left wing for The Owls during a successful loan spell from Manchester City. He also managed to bag a goal, scoring in stoppage time to give Wednesday a 2-0 victory over Charlton Athletic at Hillsborough. His versatility, pace and direct approach made him a popular figure at Hillsborough. A sure target for Dave Jones this summer, no doubt.

Stuart Holden (Bolton Wanderers)

USA international Stuart Holden was a regular for Bolton Wanderers in the Premier League, before an injury stricken spell on the sidelines during the last two seasons. Fully recovered, Holden arrived at Hillsborough for some much needed game time, and managed a total of four appearances for The Owls during his short stay in S6. Prising him away from The Reebok Stadium will be a tall order for fan’s favourite Holden, who will be looking to make his way back into the fold under Dougie Freedman.

Danny Pugh (Leeds United)

Dave Jones opted to bring in Danny Pugh from Leeds United as cover for Jeremy Helan. However, on Helan’s return, Pugh was moved to left back to accommodate Helan’s place on the left wing. Pugh’s versatility and experience were both key factors in his arrival at Hillsborough and is known to be a target for Dave Jones this summer. But with several midfielders currently on the rosta, can Wednesday realistically accommodate him? We’ll wait and see.

Leroy Lita (Swansea City)

The much travelled striker Leroy Lita arrived at Hillsborough during the January transfer window on loan from Premier League side, Swansea City. His reputation and expectation as a goalscorer in The Championship was soon fulfilled, scoring on his debut in the 2-1 away victory at Charlton Athletic. A total of 6 goals in 17 appearances, I’m sure most Wednesday fans would welcome Lita back to Hillsborough next season.

Jay Bothroyd (Queens Park Rangers)

After a ‘less than successful’ loan spell with The Owls at the start of last season, Jay Bothroyd returned to QPR to play some part in their unsuccessful Premier League survival bid. Despite just scoring once in 14 appearances, Bothroyd could still prove to be a threat in The Championship, either at QPR or elsewhere. Would Dave Jones really want to bring him back? Who knows.

Seyi Olofinjana (Free Agent)

Olofinjana joined the Owls on a loan deal from Hull City towards the end of the 2012/2013 campaign and impressed with some assured displays in the centre of the park. His experience and strength could be argued as a key factor in securing Wednesday’s status in The Championship. Now that Hull have secured promotion to the Premier League, Olofinjana has been released and is available as a free agent, sparking rumours of a return to Hillsborough on a more permanent basis.

Mamady Sidibe (Free Agent)

Another one of the more ‘forgetful’ loan spells last season was the signing of Stoke City striker, Mamady Sidibe. Like Bothroyd and Wickham, Sidibe only netted once for The Owls during his loan spell, but when he did it brought three points. His powerful diving header gave Wednesday a 1-0 away win in the Boxing Day clash at Bolton. Now a free agent, Sidibe will be looking for a new club. However, I don’t think there are many Wednesdayites who would want him back.

Who do you want to see back at Hillsborough next season?

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Midfield anyone?

Jono Garnett takes a look at Wednesday’s midfield options ready for the 2013-2014 season. With Dave Jones seemingly focusing on youth, where are the missing links in the centre of the park? And who’s going to claim the four starting spots?

OUT WIDE

Jermaine Johnson

The club’s longest serving player has agreed (in principle) to a one-year contract extension, and Wednesdayites couldn’t be happier. JJ has been tearing up the wing at S6 since 2007 and seems to get better with age. At 32 years young, he remains one of the quickest and most exciting impact players in The Championship.

Danny Mayor

Despite a stint out on loan at Paul Sturrock’s Southend United at the end of last season, Danny Mayor is still regarded as one of the most promising young players at Hillsborough by manager Dave Jones. Signed from Preston North End at the end of the 2011/2012 campaign, Mayor has yet to break through into the first team, but this coming campaign could be the making of this tricky and attack-minded winger.

Michail Antonio

Last summer’s big signing was Michail Antonio from Reading. His arrival brought 9 goals before injury during the last campaign and Owls fans will want to see more of the same from one of the most popular players on the current rosta at Hillsborough. He’s certain to be a regular in Dave Jones’ side.

Kieran Lee

Although primarily a full back, Lee was utilised on the right hand side of midfield rather successfully during spells of the last campaign, the most eye-catching was probably away against Hull City.

MIDDLE OF THE PARK

Paul Corry

Another of Dave Jones’ youthful prospects added to the squad last season was 21-year-old Paul Corry who arrived from University College Dublin. His eye for a pass and creative flair in midfield was notable in several short outings during the last campaign, with appearances against the likes of Leeds United the most memorable from the youngster. His loan at Tranmere Rovers will have done him the world of good towards the end of last season and he’ll be keen to push on and stake a regular place in the side.

Liam Palmer

After a successful season-long loan at Tranmere Rovers, Palmer has developed into a creative and box-to-box midfielder and remains one of the brightest young talents at Hillsborough. Palmer has also recently signed an extended contract at S6, which adds a real statement of intent for the coming campaign for the player, who will be looking to become one of the first names on Dave Jones’ team sheet for the next campaign.

Rhys McCabe

A regular at the start of last season, McCabe arrived from Glasgow Rangers billed as one of the most exciting talents to emerge from the Scottish side in recent years. Despite this reputation and several good performances, it was Wednesday’s run of back-to-back defeats in September and October that lost him his regular place in the team as DJ looked to shake things up. However, after his first season at this level, he’ll be looking to cement his place in the manager’s plans for the next campaign.

Giles Coke

After being frozen out at Hillsborough in the 2011-12 season, Coke earned a surprise recall to the starting XI against Hull City and managed to keep it for the remainder of the season alongside the likes of David Prutton and loanee, Seyi Olifinjana. He was praised for the way he returned to the side and stuck to working hard in training. Taking his chance again will be a big factor in his future at Hillsborough next season.

David Prutton

Like Coke, Prutton was seemingly at the end of his Wednesday career after being loaned out to League One side Scunthorpe United at the beginning of last season. However, Prutton was handed a re-call by Dave Jones as the manager seeked some experience in the middle of the park. After an impressive run of performances from the veteran midfielder, Prutton kept his place and was a key figure in Wednesday’s survival in The Championship.

Jose Semedo

A fan’s favourite during the promotion winning 2011-2012 season, Semedo was again backed to become a mainstay in the heart of Wednesday’s midfield last season. However, he soon lost his place and was practically frozen out of first team duties by Dave Jones. The writing seems to be on the wall for the Portuguese defensive-midfielder, who is still under contract.

Chris Lines

Semedo’s midfield partner throughout the majority of the 2011-2012 campaign was Chris Lines, who picked up an  unfortunate injury during pre-season. Since then, he never really had a look in, and was soon loaned out to League 1 outfit MK Dons. Lines will be looking to put in a solid pre-season to keep in the mind of Dave Jones ready for next season.

Ayo Obileye

Like Palmer, Obileye is yet another graduate of the academy who has been handed a professional contract with the club and is rated by coach Lee Bullen as a ‘Yaya Toure’ figure in the heart of midfield. Although all early indications point to a loan move for the youngster, who’s to say he won’t make the step up and become a success this season?

Adam Hinchliffe

The second midfielder to graduate from the development squad. Like Obileye, Hincliffe is regarded as a hot prospect in midfield, with an eye for goal to boot.

MY STARTING MIDFIELD

Out of this lot, and before DJ makes any signings this summer, I’d opt for the following starting midfield:

LM – Jermaine Johnson

LCM – Liam Palmer

RCM – David Prutton

RM – Michail Antonio

Thoughts…?