Pierce Charles has acted as James Beadle’s understudy so far this season.
The latter returned to Sheffield Wednesday for a second loan spell this summer and has kept his place in between the sticks.
Ben Hamer was also brought in and was expected to be his back-up, but an early injury has kept him on the sidelines since his arrival.
Charles has been named on the bench in the Owls’ opening three Championship fixtures, while he was handed a starting spot in the Carabao Cup win over Hull City.
Charles told he won’t be sent out on EFL loan
It was previously expected that the 19-year-old could leave Yorkshire on loan, but recent reports have since claimed a move won’t be sanctioned due to Hamer’s absence.
Charles is highly-rated at Hillsborough and there is no doubt that regular minutes will help boost his development massively, but there isn’t a great deal he can do about Wednesday’s lack of options.
While he won’t earn a EFL move this week, it is believed that a switch to the National League could be considered and it is definitely something that Charles should push for.
Charles needs to push for National League move
While it is far from the quality of football in the third or fourth division, it is the experience that he will pick up in senior football that is the key thing.
There would surely be plenty of National League clubs interested in the teenager, and if he can earn himself a move to one of the teams pushing for promotion then it could be a huge season for him.
Charles would be getting game-time week in week out and would be surrounded by senior players – many of whom will have played in the EFL before and could act as great mentors to him.
Some of the names in the National League include former League Two champion Ben Tozer and former Ipswich Town striker James Norwood, while Dajaune Brown is one youngster who impressed on loan from Derby County at Gateshead last term and has now earned himself a place in their Championship squad.
It would definitely be a lot more beneficial for Charles than playing U21s football and sometimes playing no football at all, but instead sitting on the bench.
It’s unclear when Hamer will return, but Wednesday have plenty of time to allow the young goalkeeper to leave for the rest of the season.