Breaking news: Owls captain Purse quits Sheffield Wednesday

SHEFFIELD Wednesday captain Darren Purse last night quit Hillsborough as manager Alan Irvine confirmed his interest in signing controversial Notts County striker Lee Hughes.

By The Newsroom

Published 20th Jan 2011, 19:32 BST

Updated 20th Jan 2011, 19:32 BST

Veteran Purse left the Owls by mutual consent and opened the door for a move to Championship play-off chasers Millwall, who had earlier enquired about the centre-half.

Purse has struggled in his time at Hillsborough, and was even booed by Owls supporters after his clumsy challenge conceded a penalty against Charlton last weekend. The writing seemed to be the wall when Irvine brought in three new centre-halves in this month's January transfer window.

Purse, 34 next month, has spent 18 months at Hillsborough but his place has been put in jeopardy by the arrival this month of defenders Mark Reynolds, Michael Morrison and Reda Johnson.

Irvine revealed that Millwall manager Kenny Jackett had enquired about Purse's availability and the player was now having discussions about his future.

For full story read Friday's Yorkshire Post newspaper.