Oldham's Clarke Bid Rejected

Wednesday boss Brian Laws has revealed he rejected an approach from John Sheridan at Oldham to extend the loan deal of target man Leon Clarke.

The former Wolves man, who arrived at Hillsborough in the January transfer window, had been short of fitness at S6 and Laws decided to allow him a one-month loan deal at the League One club to give him some much-needed match fitness.

But Laws is keen to give his man a shout in the Owls first team before the end of the season and didn't want to let the Latics extend their loan deal.

'Oldham wanted to keep Leon, but we said no, in view of the David Graham situation and the fact that the intention was for Leon to spend just a month with them,' Laws told the Sheffield Star.

'I have also spoken to the player. He's done well for Oldham, but we want him here for the long term.'

The 22-year-old forward has started four goals for the promotion-chasing Latics since making the move to Lancashire and has impressive by netting three goals - including two in the last five minutes to give Athletic a share of the spoils in their clash with Brentford at the weekend.

And Laws is likely to give him a few run-outs before the end of the current campaign with the Owls firmly on course for a respectable mid-table finish.

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