Megson keen to downsize squad at Wednesday

The Owls manager inherited a squad of 26 players from his predecessor Alan Irvine – including five new signings who arrived during the New Year transfer window.

Megson feels the size of his squad is too big and has also rejected opportunities to sign more new players.

Speaking ahead of tomorrow’s home game with Plymouth Argyle, Megson said: “Bringing players into a football club, especially one like this, is the easiest thing in the world.

“Bringing the right ones in is the trick.

“It doesn’t always strengthen a club,” he added. “I could have brought in six or seven during the three weeks since I have been here but not one of them would have been the right person. You have got to bring the right players in.”

Chairman Milan Mandaric illustrated his ambition for the League One club by supporting Irvine in the transfer market soon after completing a £10m takeover of the League One club.

Mandaric has also offered support to Megson but the Owls manager pulled out of possible deals last month for West Ham duo Benni McCarthy and Herita Ilunga and has also been linked with Hammers striker Zavon Hines.

“I think there are too many players here, I would prefer less players and more quality,” Megson stressed. “That is not a criticism of what has gone before, or indeed the players, but we won’t see too much more activity this season.”

Defenders Mark Reynolds and Michael Morrison, who Irvine signed from Motherwell and Leicester respectively, have already been dropped by Megson.

The pair were hauled off during the FA Cup defeat at Birmingham City two weeks ago and have played no part in the subsequent two games which have seen the Owls keep two clean sheets and ending a sequence of 10 games without a league victory.

“It takes time for players to realise what a new manager and new staff want,” said Megson. “It’s not about tactics or formations, it is about players and how they go about the job. The place is starting to gain a bit of momentum now and we are looking a bit healthier.

“Those who have not been involved in the last few games can hopefully recognise that there is a difference in expectation in what we want from the players.”

Midfielder Giles Coke is available after a three-game ban tomorrow but will probably have to start on the bench. Winger Jermaine Johnson is another contender for the bench after illness but defenders Lewis Buxton and Jon Otsemobor remain injured.