The youth can set you free.. 10 Sheffield Wednesday youngsters that could make the grade in League One

That’s a promise that has come straight from the mouth of Owls boss Darren Moore, whose charges reconvene at the end of the month for preseason.

The Owls have much work to do to complete their squad heading into the season opener on August 7 and much business is expected, but League One could provide a stage for a handful of their younger players.

Let’s take a look at 10 that will be hoping to make the step up ad impress Moore in the coming weeks.

Korede Adedoyin

A free transfer last summer who arrived in a whirlwind of optimism and an eye-catching goalscoring record from his time in Everton’s youth ranks, Korede Adedoyin seems primed and ready to go when preseason kicks into gear.

The 20-year-old has overcome the injury that stunted his progress – he was previously training with Garry Monk’s first team and would have made the matchday squad for a League Cup defeat at Fulham were it not for slow paperwork – and as revealed by The Star is set to be involved with the seniors when they get back to work later this month.

A quick striker with plenty of talent, he could well be one to watch.

Alex Hunt

That coming of age season feels as if it needs to come soon for 21-year-old Hunt.

A classy ball-playing midfielder tucked firmly under the wing of mentor Barry Bannan, he was close to a loan move out of Wednesday during the winter transfer window, but it never quite came off.

Diminutive in stature, he has shown glimpses of his undoubted talent across his sporadic 14 appearances and may well find League One to be a perfect stage for him to push that home.

Fisayo Dele-Bashiru

Another who was brought to Wednesday as part of Garry Monk’s effort to mould a ‘hungrier, younger’ squad, the former Manchester City starlet started well with the Owls before his involvement fizzled out.

His playing style is explosive and dynamic, traits that were somehow missing from the midfield last season, and with a full preseason behind him he’ll no doubt hope to push on given more opportunity.

He was injured on Darren Moore’s arrival and hasn’t yet played a minute under the Owls boss. Instinct says he might be a Moore player.

Ryan Galvin

Galvin burst onto the scene with an impressive pair of cup performances at the turn of the year.

One saw him contribute hugely to an FA Cup win at Exeter, the other saw him battle manfully against a star-studded Everton outfit in the competition’s next round.

As it stands, Wednesday have no recognised left back and it could be that attack-minded Galvin, 20, is able to carve himself a niche there.

Ciaran Brennan

Another who impressed in Wednesday’s early glut of cup matches last season, Republic of Ireland youth international Ciaran Brennan is a tall defender who earned rave reviews for his debut outing at Rochdale.

He’s calm on the ball and has confidence belying his young age. That the Owls saw enough to trigger an extension in his contract is a sign they see something in him.

Brennan is 21 now and like Hunt will hope the drop in divisions will see him pushed further into first team contention.

Alex Bonnington

Something of a wildcard perhaps given his lack of first team experience compared to the others on this list, there is no doubting the potential of striker Alex Bonnington.

Praised for an intelligent style of play that sees him link with those around him, the 17-year-old is fearless and likes to play on the shoulder of defenders.

In terms of League One involvement, this season may come too early for the youngster, though you would do well to rule out a taste of action in the cup competitions.

Liam Waldock

Earned praise for his debut outing in the League Cup at Fulham last season, offering a combative and full-of-heart performance against Premier League opposition.

The lifelong Wednesdayite made the bench in three senior games last season and has had his contract triggered into another season, which he’ll hope to see further opportunities to impress.

Midfield is perhaps one of the positions the Owls are not particularly short in, but Waldock is highly-rated at Middlewood Road.

Josh Dawodu

His contract is not done and dusted just yet, but as revealed by The Star earlier this week, Dawodu is keen to stick around and have a right go at things at Wednesday.

A spritely right-back, the former Arsenal youth man spent plenty of time training with the seniors last season and though he is yet to make his senior debut, is one to watch.

He’s had discussions with Moore about his roadmap into further first team involvement and is currently in a pre-preseason training camp as he hopes to push on in 2021/22.

Charles Hagan

Aged 19, strong and pacey, striker Charles Hagan is one of Wednesday’s most talented young strikers who played a near ever-present part in their under-23 campaign last time out.

He came off the bench for his senior debut at Fulham and trained with the seniors for much of the season, but is yet to agree a new deal to stay at the club, though a contract has been offered, and has suitors elsewhere.

Declan Erratt-Thompson

Just when you think there are no feelgood stories in football, along comes Declan Erratt-Thompson.

He skipped off the bench at Exeter for a short but confident debut and can play either on the right of defence or more centrally.

The 19-year-old overcame childhood struggles to get to this point but the hard works starts now.

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