A striker this week linked with a move to Sheffield Wednesday could be out until March, according to his manager.
The Daily Mail listed Wednesday as one of the clubs interested in signing Dwight Gayle on loan from Newcastle United.
But if Newcastle’s demands – £60,000 a week in wages and a £20 million obligation-to-buy clause, according to The Telegraph – weren’t enough of a deterrent, Gayle’s absence should put pay to any Owls pursuit.
Speaking to the Newcastle-based Evening Chronicle earlier, Steve Bruce – the boss who swapped Hillsborough for St James’ Park last July – revealed: “With Dwight, it will be the bog-standard one between four to six weeks.
“Not great news.”
Another Owls-linked striker, Eddie Nketiah, has been crossed off Garry Monk’s list this week, with the 20-year-old set to see out the season at his parent club Arsenal.
The Sheffield Wednesday boss Monk has also been credited with an interest in the Crystal Palace striker Connor Wickham, whom it was claimed was the club’s most likely centre-forward recruit.
MORE SHEFF WED STORIES
Speaking via Wednesday’s official Facebook account on Thursday, the 40-year-old expressed hope that he will soon be able to add to his first-team squad.
“We’re down the line with a few situations,” he said.
“Nothing concrete, nothing signed and sealed, but hopeful that can happen as soon as possible.”
The Owls announced their first January window recruit – and the first of Monk’s Hillsborough career – Manu Hidalgo, on Wednesday evening
The Argentine winger arrived on an 18-month contract from US Triestina Calcio and will begin life in Wednesday’s Under-23s.