Tough decisions made as Owls plan for next season

Last updated : 14 May 2009 By C. Morris

Last week Sheffield Wednesday confirmed the departure of Kenny Lunt and Wade Small and now manager Brian Laws has made decisions on the rest of the Owls squad in relation to the players whose contracts are set to expire.

The most significant development is the decision not to offer a new deal to club Captain Steve Watson. The veteran utility player suffered a hip injury which saw him sidelined for a good number of games towards the end of the season and as he is yet to complete his rehabilitation following surgery it was not possible for the Owls to offer him a new contract.

Watson was considered a major influence to the young squad in the dressing room and he was also an asset on the pitch, particularly in the middle of the park with assured passing and sound positional play supporting both the defence and attack. Perhaps his most memorable moment in an Owls shirt came in the 1-0 win over bitter rivals Sheffield United at Hillsborough when he bagged the only goal of the game.

Despite not being offered a contract at this stage the door has not been totally closed on Watson as the club may be open to discussions should he be interested and able to prove his fitness in the future.

Also on their way out of Hillsborough are two products of the academy, Sam Liversidge and Liam McMenamin.

Young goalkeeper Richard O' Donnell has extended his stay at the club by agreeing to a new one-year deal and contracts have been offered to youngsters Arron Jameson and Luke Boden.

Experienced full-back turned midfielder Michael Gray, who was injured towards the end of the season has been offered a contract extension and Richard Hinds already had a new offer made towards the end of the campaign.