Prutton and Jones move to Hillsborough but Hill rejects Barnsley

The vastly-experienced duo are the first two signings of what is likely to be a busy summer for the Owls manager after the disappointment of last season when his side finished 15th in League One.

Jones, 31, is a familiar figure to Wednesday fans, having spent the second half of the 2010-11 campaign on loan in S6. He made nine appearances after joining from Scunthorpe United.

Prutton, meanwhile, has joined the Owls from Swindon Town after spells with Leeds United, Nottingham Forest and Southampton during a career that includes 405 appearances.

Megson said: “Our supporters are well aware of the qualities of Rob Jones and I am really pleased that we have been able to secure him on a permanent contract.

“I have admired David Prutton for a long time and, first and foremost, he has character and he will put demands on everyone else.”

Hull-born Prutton spent two years at Leeds and became a cult figure at Elland Road, even earning the nickname ‘Jesus’ from supporters due to his then flowing hairstyle and beard.

He was a key member of the United side who overcame the 15-point deficit handed down by the Football League to go within a whisker of winning promotion from League One in the 2007-08 season.

After finishing the campaign six points short of second-placed Nottingham Forest, Leeds were forced to try to win promotion by the play-offs but fell short in the final against Doncaster Rovers.

The 29-year-old, who once cost Southampton £2.5m, moved to Colchester United early in the 2009-10 season before subsequently joining Swindon, where he made 46 appearances.

Elsewhere in South Yorkshire, Keith Hill has turned down an approach by Barnsley to become their next manager.

The Tykes are understood to have made the 42-year-old Rochdale manager their No 1 target and talks have taken place over a possible move.

However, Hill last night said: “I have been in communication, discussion and negotiation with the owners at Barnsley.

“They have been really, really good but I couldn’t commit to Barnsley Football Club at this moment in time. Nothing went wrong, it was just down to choice.

“The most difficult thing to turn down was (the chance) to manage in the Championship. Barnsley are, historically, a big club, too, but I am happy in my work at Rochdale.”