Jos Luhukay hints Sheffield Wednesday will think about new Matt Penney contract in international break

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The left-back has impressed since breaking into Sheffield Wednesday’s first team plans.

Sheffield Wednesday are keen to keep Matt Penney’s feet on the ground after the academy left-back’s impressive start to life in the first team, although a new Owls deal could be on the cards next month.

Penney made his Wednesday debut against Sunderland in August and has gone on to make a further five appearances for Jos Luhukay’s side.

Those have earned the 20-year-old rave reviews from the Hillsborough faithful, and speaking via Sheffield Wednesday’s official Facebook account on Thursday, Luhukay agreed that Penney’s emergence has been a pleasant surprise.

“Absolutely,” replied the Wednesday manager. “But, internally, we are trying to keep his foot on the ground.

“We see the development, we see the progression. But he is in the beginning of his young career in the Championship, and he has a long time and future before him so he must try to work every day and every new game to come to good performances.

“We try to help him with that, but he is a cool boy, he has a very good character, so I don’t see any problems for him in the future.”

Asked if Penney’s plaudits are at risk of going to his head, Luhukay insisted: “I don’t have that feeling”, but added: “When I have that feeling, I will take him out of the team for a few games to bring him back to earth – so that he stays in his shoes and not outside his shoes.”

And on the prospect of a new contract for Penney, whose existing deal expires at the end of this season, the Dutchman said – shortly before calling an end to questions about the player: “It is not the time for that.

“I think the focus must be on tomorrow against Leeds United, the number one in the league and four days later West Bromwich Albion, the number three in the league. That must be the focus, and after next Sunday, Bristol City, we have the international break and then we have a little bit of rest.

“Maybe then we can think about that.”

Sheffield Wednesday lost two of their best academy prospects, George Hirst and Sean Clare, at the end of their deals this summer.

Both players were offered fresh terms at Hillsborough, but chose to join Oud-Heverlee Leuven and Heart of the Midlothian respectively for minimal compensation.