SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY: Wickham departure is a blow for Owls

Sheffield Wednesday v Blackpool........Owls Connor Wickham celebrates his goal

He writes: Gus Poyet has recalled loan star Connor Wickham back to Sunderland AFC, just a day before he was due to play his last game for Wednesday.

The in-form striker heads back to Wearside after a successful stint with the Owls, scoring eight goals in 11 appearances.

Wickham has been the focal point of Wednesday’s turn in fortunes and has scored important goals to earn vital points.

He rejoined Wednesday for the second time in 10 months with a loan deal agreed from 1st November up to 1st January 2014.

He scored on his return to S6 in a 5-2 victory over Reading, the Owls’ first win of the campaign.

He also contributed to the side with winning goals against Leicester and Watford.

Wickham netted four goals in as many games in December and was rewarded with a nomination for Championship Player of the Month.

He was cup tied by Sunderland so was unable to play any part in the FA Cup ties against Macclesfield and Rochdale but scored in Wednesday’s 6-0 thrashing of Leeds United.

Gray seemed hopeful of extending Wickham’s loan until the end of the season after ongoing talks with Sunderland manager Poyet.

The Owls must now go in search of a replacement for Wickham and must act quick before the deadline on Friday 31st January.

Stuart Gray now has to prepare his team for the trip to fellow relegation rivals Millwall without the reliant front-man.

It’s a massive blow to the squad and Mandaric must dig deep into his pocket if he wants the Owls to keep their Championship status next season.