Henrik Pedersen spoke after today’s Portsmouth defeat about media speculation linking Barry Bannan with a move away from Wednesday in the current transfer window.

The Owls boss was asked about reports of interest from other Championship clubs and teams in Scotland and said: “I really hope Barry will stay here. He is very important for all of us.

“Barry has been amazing for us and I can just say I hope he will stay. He means a lot for me and a lot for everyone.”

Reflecting on the Portsmouth defeat, Pedersen said he felt it was “a very equal game”

From an attacking aspect he said: “The challenge is to make possibilities into chances and chances into big chances. We need to improve that last part.

“We didn’t have the power to come back in the game after the goal. I can see development with the ball, but to be effective on the ball, we have to develop how we break the lines.”