Keiren Westwood admits he could have left Sheffield Wednesday, suggests Jos Luhukay lied to him

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The Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper was frozen out by Luhukay.

The Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper, Keiren Westwood, has suggested he was lied to by the club’s former head coach, Jos Luhukay.

Westwood missed the start of Luhukay’s reign through injury, and found himself banished to the Owls’ Under-23s upon his return.

Speaking publicly for the first time since returning to the side under the Dutchman’s temporary successor, Lee Bullen, the 34-year-old told BBC Radio Sheffield the explanation given to him by Luhukay was later contradicted by Wednesday’s chairman, Dejphon Chansiri.

“He [Luhukay] said it was purely financial. But when I had a good chat Mr Chansiri, he said it wasn’t,” said Westwood, who added that he is “not a bitter guy” and doesn’t hold a grudge against his former boss. “I have a good relationship with the chairman, so I have no reason to disbelieve him.”

Asked if he thought his Sheffield Wednesday career was over, Westwood, whose contract expires in June, replied: “You’d have to really, wouldn’t you? I think there was a few chances to maybe go in the summer. For whatever reason they didn’t materialise.

“I did think it was over, if I’m honest. Obviously, Jos leaving opened the door for me [at Wednesday].”

On whether or not talks have taken place regarding an extension, he added: “No, I haven’t spoke to anyone about that. I’m just concentrating on playing, if I’m honest.

“It’s a new one now, because, January just gone, if Jos was still here I probably may have gone, or maybe not. That’s what happens in football, things change really quickly.

“Of course [he would want to renew his contract], who wouldn’t? It’s a fantastic football club.

“I’ve been here five years. I have a really good relationship with everyone at the club. I don’t see why I would like that to change.

“But that’s not in my hands really, the contract situations lie with Mr Chansiri and the gaffer [Steve Bruce].”

Westwood has remained as Sheffield Wednesday’s first-choice goalkeeper under Bullen, Steve Agnew and, finally, Bruce, who told the club’s official Facebook page earlier the Irishman will start Saturday’s game against Reading.

Chansiri is anticipating another transfer embargo at Wednesday this summer, which could affect the Owls’ plans to renew any of their nine expiring contracts.