Keiren Westwood on his Sheffield Wednesday future

Westwood is one of a host of players who is out of contract in June, with the smart money being on a major clear-out in the summer - whatever transpires in the club’s remaining nine fixtures.

The Owls are nine points adrift of safety in the drop zone and look destined to drop into League One unless things change very quickly.

Westwood is not giving up the ghost yet and while he is intent on focusing on the here and now and putting talk surrounding his future to one side in the short term, the 36-year-old did not rule out staying at the club and playing in League One as an option.

One thing that he was unequivocal about was the need for the club to also retain the services of head coach Darren Moore whatever transpires between now and the end of the season.

He said: “It is really important for a bit of stability, I really do. I think the gaffer is the man for the job.

“From what I have seen and what he has spoken to me about and said to the lads and the way he wants to do things, 100 per cent.”

On his own future and on the prospect of playing for the club in the third tier, he commented: “Listen, I have loved it here, I really have and I am not saying it is something I wouldn’t consider (it) because I really would, 100 per cent. Of course I would. I have been here ages.

“But while it is still achievable, we will strive to achieve it (staying up).

“I wouldn't like to leave this club on a relegation. I have been here a long time. We have had some really good times here.”

Meanwhile, Westwood has stressed that he also had no fall-out with former manager Garry Monk - despite being frozen out during his time at Hillsborough.

“I never had a crossed word with Garry. I don't fall out with people, Westwood said.

“People have jobs to do. People have decisions to make and you have to respect that because they live and die by those decisions.

“I understand it. It is football. It is life.”