Sheffield Wednesday: Danny Rohl issues update on Michael Smith situation | OneFootball

Danny Rohl has provided an update on Michael Smith's current Sheffield Wednesday situation

Danny Rohl has refused to play down speculation that Michael Smith could be poised to leave Sheffield Wednesday before Friday's 11pm deadline.

The experienced forward arrived at Hillsborough in the summer of 2022 from South Yorkshire rivals Rotherham United and scored 18 times in League One to fire Wednesday to promotion in his debut campaign.

However, his minutes have been significantly reduced in the Championship following Rohl's arrival at the club back in November, with Smith only managing to feature in the Owls' starting line-up on eleven occasions in the 2023/24 campaign.

Wednesday have signed three strikers this summer with both Charlie McNeill and Jamal Lowe both heading to the Steel City alongside the return of last season's loan hero Ike Ugbo on a permanent basis from French outfit Troyes.

Ugbo, who scored seven times from 18 appearances during the second half of the previous season, will undoubtedly lead the line for Rohl's men this term and that appears to have cast Smith's immediate future at the club into further doubt.

According to a report from Football Insider earlier this month, ambitious League One outfit Wrexham have opened negotiations in a bid to sign Smith. The 32-year-old has just one year remaining on his current deal, meaning this window likely represents the last opportunity for Wednesday to collect a fee.

Danny Rohl makes Michael Smith, Sheffield Wednesday admission

Smith has appeared in each of Wednesday's opening three Championship encounters and was among the scorers in their 4-0 opening day rout of Plymouth Argyle, although none have been starts and he was omitted from the matchday squad for Tuesday evening's 5-1 Carabao Cup second-round win away at Grimsby Town.

When quizzed on whether Smith's omission was due to an injury or an impending move elsewhere by BBC Sport journalist Rob Staton, Rohl played his cards close to his chest but refused to rule out a potential departure after the win over the Mariners.

Rohl said of Smith: "He trained in the morning, let's see what happens there with Michael.

"In the morning I had a great conversation with him, Michael is such a great character.

'"In January, we made the decision, he played a lot in the second leg [of the season], maybe more than he expected, and let's see where we are on Friday and then you can ask me again where we are with the transfers."

Michael Smith, Sheffield Wednesday departure would benefit all parties

At this stage of his career, it does appear the best course of action for Smith to seek a departure elsewhere in the coming days. Now aged 32, it is important for the striker to wind down his career in a good way and he would surely be a shrewd potential pickup for a host of League One sides including Wrexham.

He should still be able to guarantee a consistent source of goals at that level, which Wednesday should be looking to maximise in the event of negotiations with potential suitors.