Sheffield Wednesday loan man John Buckley could potentially be recalled by parent club Blackburn Rovers in January.
Sheffield Wednesday pulled off what was an impressive loan capture of Buckley, 24, on deadline day this season.
So far the midfielder has featured 10 times in the Championship, having failed to record a single goal contribution and having failed to overly impress the watching Wednesday fans.
He’s made just two starts under new boss Danny Rohl, and this week, Blackburn Rovers boss Jon Dahl Tomasson hinted at a potential January recall should Buckley’ situation at Hillsborough not improve.
And having his say on the matter, ex-Sheffield Wednesday man Carlton Palmer told Football League World:
“If he’s not getting games, it’s 100% the right call.
“I can’t believe he’s not getting a consistent run of games for the Owls given their predicament and his experience of Championship football.”
Wednesday have lost four of their opening five games under Rohl.
They remain rooted to the foot of the Championship table with just six points to their name and seven goals scored after the opening 16 games, with Rohl’s side already nine points adrift.
Buckley was also linked with a move to Sunderland last season, where former Blackburn Rovers boss Tony Mowbray is at the helm; he labelled Buckley as a ‘really talented’ player.
Why isn’t Buckley playing more regularly?
Buckley was neither too impressive under Xisco Munoz, nor too impressive under Rohl so far, so it’s hard to make a case for him starting over the likes of Barry Bannan or George Byers in the midfield.
Although he is a player with Championship pedigree and proven ability, it’s not worked out for him so far, and he’s struggling to have much of an impact coming off the bench.
It’s certainly going to be difficult to have much of an impact given how poor this current Sheffield Wednesday side is, but if Buckley can’t give Rohl something late on in games then he won’t force himself into starting contention.
West Bromwich Albion v Sheffield Wednesday – Sky Bet Championship
Rovers recall incoming?
Rovers have Buckley on a long-term contract. It shows their faith in the player and if he isn’t playing regularly, and if he isn’t performing well at Wednesday, it makes sense for everyone that he’s recalled.
It frees up a loan space in Rohl’s side and he could use it to bring in a player in another position, with the Owls currently pretty well-stocked in the central midfield position.
Like Palmer suggests though, it is surprising to see that Buckley hasn’t kicked on at Sheffield Wednesday; he looked like a really keen signing at the time but it simply hasn’t gone too well for the Englishman so far.
The Owls return to action vs Birmingham City later this month.
