Clarity on Barry Bannan Sheffield Wednesday contract detail with focus elsewhere

Such is the Scot’s importance to the club, it may well be that another year beyond this season indeed remains a formality in itself.

But the 33-year-old has confirmed to The Star that a similar trigger does not exist in his current deal and that down the line negotiations will need to be had to sort a new one.

A modern legend of Hillsborough, Bannan has to date made an incredible 366 appearances for the Owls and has designs on making many more, making clear on a number of occasions that he wishes to see out his playing days with the club. One day, he has hinted, he would fancy taking on a Wednesday tracksuit as a coach.

Whatever the details of his current deal, any thoughts of next season are of no importance to the Owls skipper right now as he looks to lead his team to a resurgence up the Championship.

He said: “My contract runs out at the end of the season no matter how many games I play or don’t play. That’s the least of my worries, I’m concentrating on trying to perform and trying to win games for the club.

“That’ll all take care of itself, whether I get another year or whether I have to take lower. That’ll be decided by manager and chairman.

“It’s just not my priority at the moment. My priority is to try to perform better individually and win games.”

It’s hoped that Bannan will be recovered from an injury that has seen him miss the last three matches in time for an important trip to fellow strugglers Watford this weekend.