I want to stay at Owls, even if we lose in play-offs '“ Pudil

Owls' Daniel Pudil throws his boots into the crowd at the final whistle
Picture: Steve Ellis — Owls' Daniel Pudil throws his boots into the crowd at the final whistle Picture: Steve Ellis

The left-back has thrived at Hillsborough since joining on loan from Watford last summer.

The 30-year-old returns to the Wednesday team tonight, after Carlos Carvalhal made 10 changes last weekend, in their play-off semi-final first leg against Brighton & Hove Albion.

Pudil is hoping to secure a permanent deal at Hillsborough, in what could be a busy summer.

After the play-offs, Pudil will join up with the Czech Republic team for this summer’s European Championship finals in France.

“I don’t care if we go to the Premier League or stay in the Championship, I would like to stay here,” he said.

“But I just want to focus on these two games. After this season, I will have the European Championships with Czech Republic.

“When we have finished the season, we can have the chat with the chairman and the manager and after that we will decide. I would like to stay over here but it is not up to me.

“It will be a big few weeks. First things first, I want to focus on the play-offs. I don’t know if I will be in the squad for the Euros yet because it has not been announced.

“I would like to play in the final and win that game and go to the Euros. It is probably going to be my best year.

“Sheffield Wednesday is one of the oldest clubs in the world. The fans have been patient. Whenever I go to school to pick up my children, everybody is talking about the play-offs.

“Everyone would like to be in the Premier League but we have to first of all beat Brighton.”

Wednesday have experience in their ranks of getting promotion from the Championship.

Pudil went up with Watford last season – although he did lose in the play-off to Crystal Palace the previous year – while Ross Wallace is aiming for a third promotion to the Premier League.

The Scottish midfielder – back after a three-match suspension – has previously enjoyed going up with Sunderland and Burnley, and is looking for a hat-trick this season.

“It would be right up there,” said Wallace. “No matter how you get promoted. It is just about getting it over the line.

“It will be a tough task. We have got the third best team in the league and that’s all we are focusing about.”