Sheffield Wednesday continue to be linked with the Lincoln City manager Danny Cowley.
The Owls were said to be in advanced talks with Cowley earlier this week, although the 40-year-old has subsequently denied any contact with the Championship side.
Nevertheless, those of a Wednesday persuasion will recall Steve Bruce saying something similar shortly before he quit to join Newcastle United in mid-July – so an appointment should not be ruled out just yet.
But if Cowley is to take the reins at Hillsborough, which of his past-or-present players could follow him up the A1?
We at Sheffield Wednesday News have been busy putting two and two together…
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Harry Toffolo (Lincoln City)
Lincoln City’s Toffolo in action. (Photo by Chris Vaughan – CameraSport via Getty Images)
Toffolo is, by his own admission, an attack-minded left-back – something which Wednesday do not currently possess. His position is one that Wednesday, according to their interim manager Lee Bullen, considered strengthening in the summer transfer window. However, the Owls ultimately went with what they already had – Liam Palmer and Morgan Fox – with Moses Odubajo thrown into the mix as cover. But with Palmer a right-back by trade and Fox’s contract up next summer, Cowley may wish to revisit the situation if he is appointed. Toffolo began his career at Norwich City, where he won caps for England at youth-team level.
Jorge Grant (Lincoln City)
Lincoln City’s Grant in action. (Photo by Chris Vaughan – CameraSport via Getty Images )
A product of the same Nike Academy from which Wednesday found Sean Clare, it is difficult not to see similarities in the two attacking midfielders. Both found early first-team exposure at Nottingham Forest and the Owls, respectively, and had encouraging loan spells before flying the nest for good. Grant has scored one goal and set up four since his summer move to Lincoln and at this rate will be back at Championship level before too long. He will be 25 when the transfer window reopens in January and, with his best years on the horizon, could be worth a punt by Cowley at Hillsborough.
Tyler Walker (Lincoln City – on loan from Nottingham Forest)
Lincoln City’s Walker in action. (Photo by Chris Vaughan – CameraSport via Getty Images)
26 goals for Mansfield last season and four already for the Imps in 2019/20, Walker could find himself in the sights of higher division clubs by the time his current loan spell ends. The 22-year-old will have just one year left on his Nottingham Forest deal at the point of his return, which could leave the Reds vulnerable to offers. Four of Wednesday’s five remaining forwards – Steven Fletcher, Atdhe Nuhiu, Fernando Forestieri and Sam Winnall – are out of contract next summer. And joining a Cowley-led Wednesday side could appeal – especially as Walker was born in the middle of his dad, Des’s, Hillsborough spell.
