Sheffield Wednesday will be looking to go again come August and go one better than last season when they were cruelly beaten in the play off final against Hull City.

The Owls squad is already one which is strong, but Carlos Carvalhal will be keen to add to his ranks to improve the team further and try and earn their place among the English games elite.

A few loan spells have expired, such as that of Daniel Pudil, and it will be interesting to see just how the Owls go about their summer transfer business and what names Carvalhal will look to add.

The Portuguese manager will no doubt have a few names on his list though as he gets his side ready to welcome Aston Villa on the opening day of the season.

With this in mind, FLW writer Lee Connor takes a look at how the Owls could line up on the opening day, in a 4-2-3-1 formation...

GK - Kieran Westwood

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The Irish keeper is one of the best stoppers in the entire Championship and it is difficult to see the Owls starting with anyone other than Westwood.

While he has been linked with a few moves away to Premier League clubs, it is hard to see him moving away from a place where he is loved and is guaranteed to play as the number one.

Westwood is a shoe in to start should he remain come August, and the Owls faithful will be hoping to see him between the sticks on August 6th.

LB - Daniel Pudil

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The Czech left back is coming off the back of a poor tournament for his country in Euro 2016, but there is no doubt he has excellent qualities for a Championship left back.

The Owls will be keen to retain his services following last seasons successful loan spell, and it will be interesting to see if they stump up the money required to sign him from Watford.

Pudil is a menace down the left with his tenacity and attacking play, and he will be key next term if he signs.

CB - Grant Hanley

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The big Blackburn centre half is widely being tipped for a move away from Ewood Park this summer, and it would be no surprise to see the Owls put a bid in for him.

Hanley is big and strong for a start, and despite playing in a struggling team last year, he still stood out.

If Carvalhal is willing to part with the money for Hanley, he could well form an excellent partnership with whoever he is paired with at Hillsborough.

CB - Tom Lees

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The Owls centre half is a mainstay of the Wednesday team and Carvalhal would be silly to not build his defence around him again next season.

Lees has impressed immensely since his arrival from Leeds United, and continued to dominate last season alongside the effervescent Glen Loovens.

Should the Owls ward off the advances of a few clubs circling around Lees, then he will 100% be in the starting line up for the first day of the season.

RB - Jack Hunt

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Another from last seasons team, Hunt has made the right back berth his own down at S6, cementing his place in the team following an unsuccessful spell with Crystal Palace.

Hunt is excellent in his attacking play and is equally as assured defensively.

He will be one of the first names on the team sheet when August comes around and will be looking to carry on with the form which saw him become one of the best full backs in the league last season.

CM - Craig Bryson

One of the star midfielders at Derby County, Bryson would be an absolute steal if he turns out not to be in new manager Nigel Pearsons plans.

Bryson returned from injury for the Rams towards the back of last season, and it was clear they had missed him.

The season prior, Bryson was a dominating force in midfield with his box to box runs and goal scoring ability. It might be a long shot, but with the funds the Owls have, there is no reason they cannot try and test Derby's resolve.

CM - Kieran Lee

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One of the most consistent performers at S6 over the last few seasons has been Kieran Lee, and he will most certainly start the opening day.

Lee has the ability to play deep and further forward, and in the main keeps things simple. Last season he added more goals to his game and became a more dominant force in the middle of the park, something which the Owls will hope will continue.

Should Lee continue his same form as last season, their is no reason he cannot star once more.

AMR - Matty Phillips

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The Owls will no doubt be in the hunt for a right winger with Ross Wallace not getting any younger, and trying to sign Matt Phillips could be a real coup.

The QPR man is consistently linked with moves away from Loftus Road, but the Owls are one of few Championship clubs with the financial muscle to sign him.

Phillips would be excellent down the right, with his pace and trickery - as well as goal threat - being ideal for the Owls.

AML - Barry Bannan

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The little midfield wizard was influential for the Owls last season with his overall displays, not to mention a string of stunning goals.

Bannan some feel, is wasted on the left of a midfield four, but in a more attacking 4321, he might well benefit from being more advanced and getting into positions to dictate the play more.

The Scot is certain to play a part once more next season, and will be equally as keen to get one over on his former club on the opening day.

CAM - Fernando Forestieri

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There isn't really anyone else to play in the number 10 role for the Owls other than last seasons star man, Fernando Forestieri.

The diminutive Italian was superb, hitting double figures and laying on plenty of chances for his teammates throughout the course of the campaign.

A £3m signing from Watford, Forestieri has proved to be an absolute steal and will be looking once more to dominate as he did last season.

FWD - Jordan Rhodes

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While Gary Hooper seems the likely candidate, there could well be a surprise if  the Owls land Rhodes.

Despite the striker only being with Middlesbrough less than 6 months, their are murmurings that the club may already be looking to send him on his way.

If this is the case, the Owls will no doubt be one of the clubs waiting in the wings to snap him up. Rhodes has strong links to Wednesday due to his father, and brings guaranteed goals with him. He would be a superb - if not expensive - signing.