Successful summer almost complete

Last updated : 06 August 2012 By C. Morris

With little more than a week to go to the start of the 2012/13 season Dave Jones will surely be pleased with the way his Sheffield Wednesday squad is coming together.

The Owls have strengthened in goal by capturing Stephen Bywater on a long-term deal following his form last season and signing Chris Kirkland.

Joe Mattock and Kieran Lee have bolstered the options at full-back and the experience of Anthony Gardner will be a useful addition at centre-half.

Nejc Pecnik and Michail Antonio will offer an attacking/wide midfield threat as well as young prospect Rhys McCabe and Diogo Amado adds depth to the central area.

Chris Maguire adds to the Owls attacking options but that is perhaps the main area that Dave Jones would still like to strengthen. The sale of Ryan Lowe to MK Dons along with the summer departure of Clinton Morrison has left Wednesday a little light up top and it would be no surprise to see someone come in before the start of the new campaign.

Marlon Harewood has had a long trial at S6 but the club seem undecided on whether to take this any further. The Owls have also had a couple of midfielders on trial over the past week and they may feature in the midweek friendly at Kilmarnock. With Chris Lines picking up a knock on Saturday a midfielder may become a requirement depending on the seriousness of the injury.

Another central defender may be a consideration given that Danny Batth – a regular in the team last season is not expected to return and captain Rob Jones has recently left the club. However, Dave Jones may feel that he has enough options in the shape of Gardner, Llera, Beevers and Reda Johnson.