Sheffield Wednesday skipper Barry Bannan has informed his team-mates that Saturday’s Championship trip to Bristol City is expected to be his final appearance for the club.
The 36-year-old midfielder has been a mainstay at Hillsborough since arriving in August 2015, going on to rack up 434 league outings for the Owls.
A former Scotland international, Bannan is out of contract at the end of the season and has been heavily linked with promotion hopefuls Millwall.
Wednesday have been in administration since October and, although a preferred bidder was announced on 24 December, the takeover process has stalled. As a result, player sales this month are seen as necessary to generate much-needed funds.
Highly-rated 17-year-old defender Yisa Alao is believed to be close to a move to Chelsea, while striker Bailey Cadamarteri, 20, has also attracted interest from elsewhere.
Speaking to BBC Radio Sheffield on Thursday, head coach Henrik Pedersen admitted the situation surrounding Bannan is difficult. “I speak with Barry every day and everyone knows how much he loves Sheffield Wednesday. I hope he stays,” he said. “I know he would love to stay, but it’s a very challenging situation.”
On the pitch, Wednesday’s struggles continue. They are on the longest winless run in the club’s history, having gone 21 matches without a victory, and remain bottom of the Championship on minus seven points after receiving a total 18-point deduction for financial breaches.
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