Steve Bruce is targeting five or six new players for next season as he looks to reshape the Wednesday squad for a promotion challenge.
The club released the names of six out-of-contract players not being offered new deals within hours of the final game defeat to QPR on Sunday, coupled with four loanees returning to their clubs, and Bruce said: “Now is the time for me to say keep the core of the team but let’s add a bit of energy and freshness.
Reflecting on the disappointing 2-1 home defeat to QPR on the final day of the season, Bruce said: “It was a few steps up from a friendly at times, it was flat, low key and without any real passion.
“We played like that and got what we deserved, which was nothing.”
The defeat meant a 12th place finish and Bruce said: “It’s a mediocre finish and not acceptable for a club like Sheffield Wednesday.”