Whelan Linked With Rams

Wednesday midfielder Glenn Whelan has been linked with a move to Derby County in the January transfer window, with Michael Johnson coming the other way as part of the deal.

The former Republic of Ireland under-21 international is out of contract at the end of the current season and is yet to put pen to paper over a new deal that will extend his current two-and-a-half year stint at S6.

But Wednesday could well be forced to cash in on the Irishman in January, with a number of clubs including Stoke City, Reading, and now struggling Derby keeping tabs on the midfield man.

Wednesday are keen to make Michael Johnson's stay in the blue and white stripes a permanent once once his three-month loan deal comes to an end later this month, and the Rams could well include him in the deal as extra bait to get their man.

Whelan was linked with Wigan Athletic while Paul Jewell was at the helm at the JJB, and his interest in one of the Owls' key players could well continue with plenty of money to spend to help keep the Rams in the top flight.