Manager Henrik Pedersen has stated that the door is still open for Iké Ugbo to try to restore his Sheffield Wednesday career, as the striker’s game time remains limited.

After failing to make it off the bench in last Saturday’s 3-1 loss to Hull City at the MKM Stadium, Ugbo has now appeared in only one of the Owls’ previous six Championship games, a mere minute in the 2-1 loss to Derby County over three weeks ago.

Making only three appearances since Christmas owing to a hamstring injury and falling out of favour, Ugbo’s future at Hillsborough is in serious doubt, with a squad overhaul likely to take place this summer as the club prepares for life in League One.

Ugbo joined Wednesday on a permanent basis in August 2024, following a successful loan stay at Hillsborough in the second half of the 2023/24 season, which helped the Owls avoid an immediate relegation to League One. He scored seven goals in 18 games, helping Wednesday avoid relegation by three points.

Wednesday signed Ugbo on a permanent deal shortly before the start of the 2024/25 season, bringing him from French club Troyes on a long-term contract. However, since becoming a permanent Wednesday player, he has scored only two goals, both of which came in the Carabao Cup.

Without a league goal in nearly two years, a lot of supporters have lost patience with the former Chelsea player, who drew interest during the winter transfer window, and have urged for his release this summer. Although nothing can be certain regarding any Wednesday player’s long-term future ahead of what promises to be a busy summer, Pedersen insists Ugbo is receiving the assistance he requires to try to get his career back on track.

Pedersen told The Star, “Yes, we are doing everything we can to support and assist, and he is doing what he can.” So, let us see.

“We need to make the best use of the last seven games for him. So, certainly, we’ll see.

When asked if the 27-year-old would be included in his plans for next season if his fortunes improved, Pedersen replied, “Yes, we will use all of the players we have in the squad, including Iké.”

According to records obtained by The Star earlier this month, Wednesday still owes roughly £2 million to Ugbo. He is under contract with Hillsborough until June 2028.