Liam Shaw hoping for new contract with Sheffield Wednesday

The 19-year-old midfielder, one of the best talents to come out of the Owls’ academy in recent years, sees his deal expire in the summer, with his representatives in talks with the club.

The boyhood Wednesdayite – who scored his first senior club in last week’s win over Middlesbrough – is keen to continue his development at Hillsborough.

Shaw, who showed his versatility by switching to centre-back in Friday’s 1-0 success against Derby County, said: “It is my boyhood club and it is a dream to play for this club. It always is, every time I go out there. It would be perfect to stay.

“We are in talks and my agent is sorting that out, so I cannot really comment on that. Hopefully, it will be sooner (rather than later).”

Shaw and his Owls team-mates have shown their character by way of successive wins under caretaker manager Neil Thompson following the shock axing of Tony Pulis.

The victories have bought the Owls some time in their search for the next full-time manager.

Several names, including ex-Barnsley head coach Jose Morais and fellow continental coaches Thorsten Fink and Paco Jemez have also been linked, with contact also reportedly made with ex-Wigan chief Paul Cook as the Owls sound out candidates.

For his part, Shaw admits he would be more than happy if academy chief Thompson continues in the role after providing Wednesday players with some belief and freedom.

On Thompson being potentially given the job, he added: “That is obviously out of our control. It is up to the chairman but I would be happy with him.

“He (Thompson) has been with me since I was 18 in the (under) 23s. He knows me really well so it is nice to have someone like that who knows what you can do and knows you inside out.

“He has been really good and positive. He has tried to take the shackles off really.

“Neil has just given that positivity and little bit more freedom to play football and we are more attacking now.

“When we defend together, we do it as a team and it is not just banks (of players) and too much like drills.

“We just go out there and play and it is more enjoyable.”

Like everyone else, Shaw professed to being surprised at the dramatic announcement late last Monday night that the vastly-experienced Pulis had been sacked by Wednesday after just 45 days in charge of the Hillsborough outfit following a major disagreement with owner Dejphon Chansiri.

Shaw said: “It came out on social media and it was quite late. It just felt crazy, to be honest, and came out of the blue, but you have just got to get on with it and keep your head down and keep working hard.”

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