Barry Bannan: Latest on Sheffield Wednesday captain amid Millwall, Stoke City and Preston North End links
Sheffield Wednesday captain Barry Bannan is reportedly set to feature against Bristol City this weekend despite speculation over his future.
The 36-year-old has been on the books at Hillsborough for over a decade and is considered part of the furniture.
He has stuck with the club through thick and thin and even took a pay cut when he penned a new contract in the summer.
However, amid continued off-field uncertainty in S6, Bannan has been strongly linked with a move away from South Yorkshire. Doubts over his future intensified earlier this week, when he saluted all four Hillsborough stands while being substituted in the defeat to Birmingham City.
Barry Bannan latest
Millwall, Preston North End and Stoke City have all been linked, as have Scottish outfit Motherwell.
According to The Star, Millwall are making the strongest case and there is talk of an 18-month contract for the veteran midfielder.
While there does appear to be interest in prising Bannan from Wednesday, he looks set to make the trip to Bristol City as part of Henrik Pedersen’s squad.
Henrik Pedersen on Barry Bannan
After the loss to Birmingham on Tuesday (January 20), Pedersen said: “I am speaking with Barry every day and we all know that he loves Sheffield Wednesday.
“I can only say what I say to him, that I hope he will stay. Let’s see what happens at the next stage, but of course I hope he will stay.
“Of course it is difficult. I know he would love to stay, but it is a very difficult situation. I respect every single player in the squad and I have a big, big respect for Barry.”
The Hillsborough faithful have had to endure plenty in recent years and the last year has been a particularly trying.
Bannan is adored in S6 and seeing him line up for another Championship club would be a bitter pill to swallow for Owls supporters.
Since joining Wednesday from Crystal Palace in 2015, the Scotland-capped midfield schemer has made 476 appearances for the club.