Harewood hoping to land Owls deal after Portugal trip

The 32-year-old is a free agent after being released by Nottingham Forest at the end of last season.

Harewood was invited to Hillsborough on trial by Dave Jones as the Owls manager looks to build a squad capable of making the step-up to the second tier.

He has been part of this week’s pre-season tour to Portugal, playing against both Sporting Lisbon last Sunday and then again last night when Wednesday took on Premier League Reading.

The former Aston Villa and West Ham United striker said: “I haven’t spoken to the manager about contracts or anything like that, I am just doing the best I possibly can while I am here.

“I have plenty left to give, I am in good shape and I think Sheffield Wednesday is a massive club.

“It is strange because sometimes you don’t realise from the outside just how big a club can be until you are on the inside.”

Harewood began last season at Chinese club Shenzhen Phoenix but returned to England when Forest’s then manager Steve Cotterill offered the striker a short-term deal that was not renewed in the summer.

The Owls, who have been allocated 5,300 tickets for the opening day trip to Derby County in the Championship, last night beat Reading 2-0 with goals from Mike Jones and Chris O’Grady.

Across the Steel City, Sheffield United Academy chief John Pemberton is understood to be on Crawley Town’s radar as a possible replacement for Sean O’Driscoll.

The former Doncaster Rovers manager recently moved to Nottingham Forest, leaving the newly-promoted Sussex club looking for a new manager.

Various candidates have been mooted including Aldershot Town chief Dean Holdsworth. But it is believed Pemberton, who led the Blades to their first FA Youth Cup final appearance in 2011, is wanted by Steve Coppell, a manager the United youth boss played under for Crystal Palace.

Meanwhile, Hull City expect to complete the capture of forward Sone Aluko on a two-year deal later today.

The 23-year-old, who scored the only goal in a behind closed doors victory over Oldham Athletic yesterday, will become Steve Bruce’s fifth signing of the summer after opting to leave Rangers when the Scottish Premier League club were liquidated last month.

Rangers insist they are due a fee for Aluko but the SPL disagree and City are confident a forward who netted 12 goals in 21 games last term will not cost any money.

Former Bradford City captain Simon Ramsden has signed a one-year contract with Motherwell.

The 30-year-old will link up with former Bantams manager Stuart McCall and is likely to make his debut in the Champions League qualifier against Panathinaikos.