We decide where Llera goes, not agent – Jones

The 33-year-old centre-back’s contract expires at the end of the season and no new deal is due to be discussed until the club’s Championship future is decided come May.

But Jones insists Llera – a fans’ favourite and a key member of Wednesday’s promotion-winning team from last season – remains part of his first-team plans.

Jones says he has spoken to the player’s agent this week, with several clubs reportedly interested in the Spaniard.

“I had a chat with Miguel’s agent the other day, and Miguel is signed here until the end of June,” said Jones.

“Miguel’s contract is up at the end of the season, he is 33 years of age, and we were going to try and discuss what happens at the end of it.

“The player is signed to us and can’t go anywhere unless we say he can. We decide where he goes, not the agent.

“Miguel is here, he’s in the first team, and while he’s still getting paid by the football club we will decide what is right for him and Sheffield Wednesday.

“He’s 33, not 18, so this shouldn’t unsettle him.

“He’s a professional footballer. He gets paid by the football club to do a job and that’s what he has to do.”

Former Blackpool defender Llera can now sign a pre-contract agreement to join another club when his Owls deal expires in the summer.

But Jones insists unless Wednesday receive a firm offer for the defender, he will remain in his first-team plans, starting tomorrow with the FA Cup tie against MK Dons.

“He can sign a pre-contract now, we have no control over that unless we sit down and negotiate a new contract with him,” said Jones.

“But because of the situation we are in – he’s 33 – the club has to look at different things.

“You only have two choices. You play well to get a new contract, or play well to get someone else to come in and take you.

“I haven’t got an issue with Miguel trying to get a better contract, that’s how football is, the way of the world. No decisions have been made.

“The agent tells us there is loads of interest, but until someone picks the phone up and asks about any player, we will just keep going forward.”