Chris O’Grady has dropped a big hint that he will not be at Sheffield Wednesday next season.
The striker was controversially loaned to relegation rivals Barnsley earlier in the campaign and has played a key role in the Reds’ survival, including scoring the first goal in their crucial 2-2 draw at Huddersfield yesterday.
O’Grady has never appeared to figure in Dave Jones’ plans and found himself sidelined early in the season, not least by the appearance of loanee striker Jay Bothroyd who was a regular choice during his woeful three-month spell at S6.
Then came the departure of O’Grady to Oakwell for the rest of the season and, after yesterday’s game at Huddersfield, he said: “I’ve enjoyed being at Barnsley. There is nothing more enjoyable than playing for a manager who believes in you and who wants you to express yourself.”
Of his time at Wednesday during the previous months, he said: “I was doing well, scoring a few goals but deemed not good enough to start games.
“If that happens and you give everything and it is not quite enough then you need to explore options.”
Looking ahead, O’Grady added: “I will definitely explore my options again and I have done everything I can to attract attention here. Barnsley is a special club, we have a special manager, the players all work for the manager and with each other and why wouldn’t you want to be involved in that.”
Dave Jones is expected to announce his ‘retained list’ during the coming week … O’Grady is one of those under consideration, but his future looks to be a few miles along the A61 from Hillsborough.