Gray says Owls close to bringing in new face as Madine heads to Coventry to ‘sharpen up’

Gray has sanctioned the forward’s move to the Midlands, with Madine having slipped further down the pecking order following the recent acquisition of Gary Taylor-Fletcher.

Madine has netted just once in 13 appearances this term and has yet to get off the mark in the Championship.

Despite his meagre return, Wednesday have fielded several enquiries about the 24-year-old, who had a spell with the Sky Blues in 2009.

Gray is hoping Madine’s exit coincides with the imminent arrival of a loan forward, possibly before tomorrow’s trip to Charlton Athletic.

The Owls have been struggling for goals of late, having failed to find the net in their past three league outings.

Gray, who also saw Everton recall young loan striker Hallam Hope earlier this week, is now in the market for a midfielder ahead of the loan deadline too, with Sam Hutchinson ruled out for two months with a knee injury.

He said: “We are just falling a little bit short in the final third and are looking in the (attacking) third to strengthen. We are very close.

“We are now relying on the individual or the player’s agent giving us the green light.”

On Madine’s exit, Gray said: “Gary just needs some football to sharpen him up.

“Rather than being sat on his backside, he has decided to go to Coventry. There were two or three clubs interested in Gary and credit to him.”