These Sheffield Wednesday players will be praying Bruce keeps his promise

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The new Sheffield Wednesday manager is already facing a selection headache at Hillsborough.

The new Sheffield Wednesday manager, Steve Bruce, has pledged to give every single one of his players an opportunity to impress ahead of next season [BBC].

Bruce increased the size of his Owls squad in January and, as a result, was forced to leave out nine fit players for his first game in charge against Ipswich Town.

But which of those are most in need of a chance at Hillsborough?

Daniel Pudil

The Czech defender was desperate for an extension at Hillsborough and always looked like getting one. But having failed to feature at all since the departure of Bruce’s predecessor, Jos Luhukay, Pudil will be lucky if history repeats itself this year, with his latest deal already into its final six months.

Kieran Lee

The energetic midfielder played a key role in Wednesday’s 2016 and 2017 play-off qualifications, but hasn’t made a single first-team appearance in more than a year owing to an ongoing hip problem. He remains the only Owls absentee without even an approximate return date – worrying for him with his contract also nearing expiry.

Marco Matias

Dropped from Wednesday’s squad in favour of the new loan signing, Rolando Aarons, at Ipswich, the writing appears to be on the wall for Matias at Hillsborough. The winger began brightly following his 2015 transfer from Nacional, but has never quite reached the same, albeit brief, heights. He recently opened up a Portuguese patisserie in town, but may not be around to run it after his deal runs out in June

Sam Winnall

According to Bruce [via the Star], Winnall chose to remain at Sheffield Wednesday despite enquiries from other clubs in the January window. The popular striker hasn’t featured in either of the Owls’ last two matchday squads, however, and could face further competition from the returning Gary Hooper. Unlike the rest on this list, Winnall is tied to Wednesday until June 2020 – although he could be sold to raised funds this summer.

Gary Hooper

Speak of the devil – like Lee, Hooper is another Wednesday player who has been sorely missed over the past 12 or so months. He last appeared on Boxing Day, 2017, but still finished last season as the club’s second top scorer with 11 goals. He’s due back soon, according to Bruce [the Star], but has a race on to land a new deal.