Duncan Watmore is training with Stockport County to stay sharp ahead of a potential return to a Football League team, having previously been linked with Sheffield Wednesday.
The 31-year-old has been without a club since his Millwall contract expired in the summer, and an injury toward the conclusion of his tenure with the Lions meant he last played competitive football in February.
However, Watmore is now fit and ready to play, and Sheffield Wednesday were thought to be interested in signing him to improve their squad.
Duncan Watmore trains with Stockport County as Sheffield Wednesday’s target awaits an EFL move.
The Owls’ problems are well-documented, and as part of the punishment for violating multiple EFL regulations, the club was restricted in who it could sign, including the inability to bring in free agents.
As a result, any deal for Watmore, who was linked with a move to Hillsborough in the summer, or any other out-of-contract player was cancelled, but Wednesday has appealed for this to change.
It has been stated that they will now be able to recruit free agents, with Liam Cooper and Timothy Fosu-Mensah among those believed to be on Wednesday’s radar, with the former Leeds captain expected to sign in the coming days.
It remains to be seen whether Wednesday would reconsider a bid for Watmore, but it appears the ex-Sunderland player is doing his part to prepare for any prospective call, with journalist Alan Nixon revealing he is training with high-flying League One club Stockport.
According to Nixon, Wednesday may call Watmore again after they have been given permission to sign some free agents, but there is also a good chance he will land a deal with the Hatters.
Watmore was born in Manchester and began his career with non-league Altrincham, which isn’t far from County, so it makes sense for him till he returns to the game, though there is no indication he will sign for Dave Challinor’s side.
Duncan Watmore would bring expertise and know-how to Henrik Pedersen’s Sheffield Wednesday squad.
Of course, Watmore may join any club as a free agent, so any interested party will be glad to see that he is training in a competitive, professional setting, since it indicates that he is staying in form.
For Wednesday, if they do bring him in, their lack of depth means he will need to play a role fairly quickly, so this is a positive development in that regard.
If they can finalize a deal for Watmore, it’s a no-brainer because he can play in a variety of attacking roles, which would appeal to Henrik Pedersen, and his work ethic will undoubtedly endear him to the fans.
The ex-Sunderland star has extensive Championship experience, having previously enjoyed a successful spell with Middlesbrough between 2020 and 2023, when he was offered a contract by the Teessiders in a situation similar to his current one, having been on trial with them as a free agent following some major injury issues.
Plus, his experience might make him an important figure in a group with a lot of young players coming up, therefore, despite Watmore’s injury history, this is a low-risk move that could aid Wednesday in their difficult situation.
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