Mallik Wilks has surely made his last appearance for Sheffield Wednesday.
The forward moved to Hillsborough from Hull City in 2022 but managed only three goals in 42 matches.
Wilks started only one league game for Sheffield Wednesday last season and wasn’t even included in the match-day squad in their final seven games.
With only a year left of his contract, the 25-year-old joined Rotherham United on loan this summer.
After making his debut from the bench, Wilks has since started both of Rotherham’s last two games in League One.
The attacker quickly hit the headlines when he scored a last-gasp winner to seal all three points in the 91st minute against Huddersfield Town at the weekend.
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Steve Evans insists Wilks ‘works hard’
Wilks was praised by supporters, while manager Steve Evans has questioned his ‘reputation’ that came with him from Wednesday.
Speaking to The Yorkshire Post, Evans said: “The boy has worked so hard for us in the last 10 days. He came here with a reputation that he doesn’t work hard, Let me tell you, Mallik Wilks works hard.
“I’ve seen him score one for the youth team and I was the one who sanctioned his first pro deal at Leeds United. I’ve seen him do it as a kid.
“‘S*d Wilks’, I used to call him and a more impolite name than that. When I’d get on the coach and be in my office. He’s done that against me for Hull, particularly with Grant McCann.”
Wilks was never good enough for the Championship
Wilks only made eight passes at the weekend, but also made two key passes, two successful crosses, won three dribbles and picked up three free-kicks.
The forward has always had much more success in the third division, claiming 35 goals and 21 assists in 109 games – while he has only nine goals in 69 games in the Championship.
The question marks around Wilks were always about his ability in the second tier and his immediate impact for Rotherham shows that he is definitely in the league where he belongs.
Wilks will surely leave Hillsborough on a free transfer next season and fans will be happy to see him score goals, but it is very unlikely that that will be in the Championship.