We looked at the Sheffield Wednesday players who are out of contract at the club this summer.
The Owls were promoted from League One last season after defeating Barnsley in the play-off final at Wembley in May, but life in the second tier has been difficult.
Wednesday had its worst start to a season in club history, prompting Xisco Munoz’s dismissal in October, but performances and results have improved substantially under Danny Rohl.
Rohl will be looking to bolster his team in the January transfer window, and it is likely to be a hectic month at Hillsborough that will determine the Owls’ chances of survival.
With a number of his squad members out of contract at the end of the season, the German has some difficult decisions, and we looked at which players could be affected sign pre-contract deals elsewhere in January.
Cameron Dawson
Dawson began the season as Wednesday’s number two custodian behind Devis Vasquez, but after being reinstated by caretaker manager Neil Thompson following Munoz’s departure, Rohl has kept him as his number one.
The 28-year-old has impressed during the Owls’ recent recovery, but reports linking him to Brighton & Hove Albion goalkeeper James Beadle throw doubt on his long-term future at the club.
Dominic Iorfa
Defender Iorfa is facing a spell on the sidelines due to injury, but he had been performing well since being moved to right-back by Rohl.
Iorfa remained at Hillsborough this summer despite reports of interest from Croatian side Dinamo Zagreb and Preston North End, but Wednesday’s hopes of keeping hold of him may depend on staying in the Championship.
Di’Shon Bernard
12 new players arrived at Hillsborough this summer after promotion, and defender Bernard has arguably been the best of those additions.
The 23-year-old put pen-to-paper on a one-year contract with the Owls in July, and after his excellent start to life in South Yorkshire, the club will be desperate to tie him down to an extension.
Liam Palmer
Defender Palmer has been at Hillsborough for his entire playing career, with just one loan spell away from the club with Tranmere Rovers.
The 32-year-old was a regular last season as the Owls won promotion from League One, but his game time has been limited since Rohl’s arrival, so it will be intriguing to see whether he is offered a new deal.
Will Vaulks
Vaulks’ days at Wednesday appeared to be finished after falling out of favour under Munoz, but he stayed at Hillsborough this summer.
Vaulks has reclaimed his spot in the team under Rohl, and with his good performances, he has become one of the first names on the team sheet, implying that he will be offered a new contract.
Tyreeq Bakinson
Midfielder Bakinson joined the Owls from Bristol City last summer, and after starting last season as a regular in League One, his minutes became restricted over the course of the campaign.
The 25-year-old was surprisingly brought back into the fold by Munoz at the start of this season, but he has frequently been left out of the matchday squad since the Spaniard’s exit, so a January departure feels likely.
George Byers
Midfielder Byers has established himself as a firm fan favourite since his arrival at Hillsborough from Swansea City in August 2021, and he played a key role in last season’s promotion push until his season was ended by injury in March.
The 27-year-old has remained a key player this season, but after being substituted at half time and dropped on a number of occasions by Rohl, there are question marks over whether he will be part of the German’s long-term plans.
Barry Bannan
Midfielder Bannan joined Wednesday from Crystal Palace on a free transfer in August 2015, and it is fair to say he has established himself as a club legend since then.
After captaining the Owls back to the Championship, there were some doubts over whether Bannan could still perform in the second tier, but the Scotsman has silenced those critics with some excellent performances, and it would be no surprise to see him finish his career at Hillsborough.
Josh Windass
Forward Windass wrote his name into Wednesday history when he scored a 123rd-minute winner to secure promotion against Barnsley in last season’s play-off final.
Windass was linked with a move to Southampton this summer, and with his contract set to expire at the end of the season, he is likely to attract further interest over the coming months, but the Owls will be keen to keep hold of him.
Lee Gregory
Striker Gregory joined Wednesday on a free transfer from Stoke City in August 2021, and he played an integral role in the Owls’ promotion last season.
However, with Rohl favouring younger, pacier players who are capable of pressing, Gregory has fallen out of favour under the 34-year-old, and according to journalist Darren Witcoop, League One clubs are interested in him ahead of the January transfer window.
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