Sheffield Wednesday boss Henrik Pedersen confirms ex-Leeds United captain Liam Cooper's decision on future
Sheffield Wednesday manager Henrik Pedersen has confirmed Liam Cooper wants to stay at Hillsborough.
The experienced defender joined the Owls in November after a period on the free agent market.
It marked a return to the EFL for the 34-year-old, who had a season in Bulgaria with CSKA Sofia after the end of his decade-long association with Leeds United.
Injury has brought his season to a premature end, but the centre-back wants to be a part of Wednesday’s future.
Liam Cooper’s future
Pedersen said: “Liam Cooper, he would really, really love to stay here. He loves to be a part of Sheffield Wednesday.
“He loves his daily life at Sheffield Wednesday. He also expressed that he can see himself as part of the future for Sheffield Wednesday.”
While Cooper is unlikely to feature in any of Wednesday’s remaining Championship fixtures, Pedersen is still keen on utilising his experience.
He said: “Liam, of course, he’s very important. Yesterday, he was in, and it was nice to see him.
“I have a meeting with him next week where we will speak about how we can use the time now, where he cannot really do a lot, and how we will integrate him in the daily life.
“Of course, he has to be integrated in a way that can help himself, so he can still train, but also help all our boys in the squad.”
Pierce Charles and Jaden Heskey updates
On the fitness front, Pedersen is hopeful Pierce Charles can make a return between the sticks following the end of Seny Dieng’s loan spell.
Dieng had been borrowed from Middlesbrough on an emergency loan basis after Murphy Cooper joined Charles on the sidelines.
However, the latter could available for Wednesday’s trip to Derby County on Saturday (March 7).
Pedersen said: “We really hope Pierce can play on Saturday. We really hope.
“He [has] had more really good sessions now and there’s no pain, there’s no problem after all the tests.
“He tries to play 11v11 and of course, it’s a long time since he played the last game. But there’s no health risks and nothing [that means] he should not play the next game in Derby.”
On-loan Manchester City midfielder Jaden Heskey, meanwhile, is back training as normal after picking up a knock.
Pedersen said: “He’s going well and he trained normally yesterday. It was reduced two days ago but yesterday, he trained normally, so he should be back in the business again.”