Owls pick up more new players than points on Saturday

Last updated : 16 January 2011 By C. Morris

At ten past three on Saturday it didn’t look like it was going to be a very productive day for Sheffield Wednesday with the Owls 2-0 down to Charlton on home soil. Come 5pm however the home side had rescued a well-deserved 2-2 draw thanks to an excellent second half display that could well have seen them win the game. The club also confirmed that it had been a productive day in the transfer market with two more players signed on permanent deals.

Striker Gary Madine moves to Hillsborough from fellow League one side Carlisle United and defender Mark Reynolds heads south from Scottish Premier League club Motherwell.

20-year-old forward Madine is reported to have signed a four and a half year deal at Hillsborough, moving for an undisclosed fee though this is thought to be in excess of £200,000 as Carlisle have stated they have previously turned down offers of this amount for the player from other clubs in the past year.

At over 6 feet tall Madine is a real presence at the focal point of the attack and has caused the Owls problems already this season in Carlisle’s league and Johnstone’s Paint Trophy victories against them. The youngster, who came through the youth team ranks at Carlisle, has previously had short stints on loan at the likes of Coventry, Chesterfield and Rochdale without a great deal of success but having nailed down a regular spot in the Carlisle first team this season his stats have been impressive. In 21 League One starts this term Madine has bagged 8 goals and he has found the net 5 times in just 3 F.A. Cup matches.

Mark Reynolds joins the Owls for a fee believed to be in the region of £100,000. The defender, who is comfortable at left-back or centre-back, would have been able to move on a free transfer at the end of the season.

Like Madine, 23-year-old Reynolds came through the youth team ranks at his first club, making his debut back in 2006. Despite his age Reynolds made over 200 appearances for his hometown club and has been the mainstay of their defence for the past 5 seasons. He won 8 caps at Under 21 level for Scotland and has previously attracted interest from the likes of Glasgow Rangers and Swansea City.

Wednesday have now made 4 signings so far in the January transfer window having welcomed defenders Reda Johnson and Michael Morrison to the club last week. The acquisition of these young promising players indicates that the Owls are planning for the future as well as looking to enhance their promotion push this season.