Owls offer half a dozen new deals

Last updated : 19 May 2013 By C. Morris

Sheffield Wednesday have moved to retain out of contract players following the end of the 2012/13 season. Wednesday retained their Championship status with a creditable 58 points after gaining promotion in 2012 and they will be hoping to build on this next season.

Lewis Buxton, the Owls player of the season is one of the players to be offered a new deal. The right-back showed his consistency throughout the campaign and he will be difficult to replace if he chooses not to accept the deal.

Jermaine Johnson enjoyed a good start and a good finish to the season. The Jamaican winger is prone to niggling injuries but he has proved that when fit he can still perform at this level and he would be a useful player to hold on to.

Giles Coke began the season by being loaned out League One signed Swindon but when Dave Jones gave him a first team chance on his return to Hillsborough he seized the opportunity and went on to make 18 appearances last season.

Experienced midfielder David Prutton is another player whose season started out with a loan spell in League One, this time with Scunthorpe. It looked as though he time with the Owls was up but he was a regular in the squad in the second half of the season, featuring in over 20 league games.

Popular centre-back Miguel Llera did not have as good a season as he did in 2011/12 but he was still a mainstay of the Owls defence, playing in all but 5 of their league matches. Centre-back is a position in which Wednesday do not currently have any great strength in depth and the club feel that holding onto Llera would be of benefit to the squad.

The last of the 6 out of contract players to be offered a new deal is Stephen Bywater. The former Derby goalkeeper played a key role in the run in during the 2011/12 promotion campaign but had to play second fiddle to Chris Kirkland last season. Bywater's experience and ability make him a dependable choice as back up keeper and Wednesday will be keen to retain his services.