Sheffield Wednesday: Crunch time for Wickham

Happy days: Connor Wickham has enjoyed his one-month spell with the Owls. Picture: StEVE ELLIS
By PAUL THOMPSON SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY
Published on Thursday 14 March 2013 07:02

WEDNESDAY boss Dave Jones is waiting to pencil Connor Wickham into his squad to face Championship leaders Cardiff at Hillsborough on Saturday.

But the Owls boss needs a go-ahead from Sunderland - and the striker’s fate could be settled today.

Both clubs are preparing for games at the weekend, with the Black Cats set to face Norwich at the Stadium of Light on Sunday, so neither will want the issue to drag on.

“We’re waiting for Sunderland to tell us whether the loan can be extended,” Jones told The Star

“He’s done well for us and he scored a vital goal for us last Saturday.”

Although Sunderland have not appeared to be in a hurry to give a decision, it is understood that the Owls do not regard this as necessarily a bad sign.

Wednesday are still hopeful that Wickham will get the go-ahead for a longer stay with them.

The matter will certainly have to be settled within the next 48 hours if the striker is to play any part in the Cardiff game.

He finds himself at a crossroads - happy to stay at Hillsborough if all agree, yet also knowing that if Sunderland want him back, there could be a breakthrough for him around the corner at the Premier League outfit.

It is thought unlikely, however, that he would go straight into Martin O’Neill’s side on Sunday.

Wickham has enjoyed the matchplay that he lacked while with the Black Cats. He has said: “I just want to be playing, wherever I am.”

Sunderland have been monitoring him, and O’Neill himself has watched two of the Owls’ recent games.

The Sunderland boss had to include five defenders on the bench for last weekend’s defeat at QPR.

Striker Wickham played the final game of his Wednesday loan spell on Saturday, and scored the winner as the Owls beat Leicester City 1-0.

Wickham has now returned to training at Sunderland’s Academy of Light complex - but Jones remains hopeful that he will return, potentially with a 24-hour release clause.

Jones’ attempts may be hampered by O’Neill’s lack of attacking options at the Stadium of Light.

The Sunderland boss couldn’t name a striker on the bench as his side went down 3-1 to QPR last weekend.

Wickham could, therefore, come straight back into the squad for Sunderland’s crunch clash with Norwich City on Sunday.

One player who would welcome Wickham’s re-signing is goalkeeper Chris Kirkland.

“Connor is going to be a top player,” Kirkland, a former England international stopper, said in midweek.

“He’s got all the attributes, and it was great to see him score for us last weekend.

“If we can get him for another month, then I’m sure it will do our season a world of good.”