Sheffield Wednesday dropped out of the playoff places after their disappointing 2-1 loss at home to Middlesbrough on Friday night - the Owls' first defeat in five league games.

The Owls, who now sit 11th in the Championship table after thirteen league games, will look to bounce back with a winnable trip to QPR on Tuesday night after losing just two of their last ten league outings.

A push for the playoffs is very much on for Jos Luhukay's men, and the January transfer window will be a very important period in Wednesday's hunt for promotion this season - they need to strengthen their squad and retain some key players.

The Owls have let go of far too many promising players in recent years - Sean Clare and George Hirst the most notable players who departed Hillsborough for small fees at the end of last season, despite being one of the brighter prospects in the league.

Following their departures, here, we take a look at four emerging talents that fans need to be getting excited about...

Under-18s captain Rice has also made real progress this term - and his inclusion on the Owls' bench for their Yorkshire derby against Leeds United proves just how highly thought of he is at Wednesday.

He already possesses several leadership qualities and could be a very good player in the long term.

Shaw looks to be another prospect at Hillsborough - the dynamic central midfielder has been at the club since the age of 8 and was named on the bench for Wednesday in their recent 2-2 draw with West Bromwich Albion.

The midfielder will be a real player for the Owls in the future.

Waldock looks to be a real prospect.

He has scored four times in the Owls' under-23 side this term in the Professional Development League, and the midfielder has progressed through the youth ranks to become a really promising player.

He could be a very important player in the future.

He may be a little older than the other three players, but Stobbs looks to be a promising player for the future.

He endured a promising loan spell on loan at Port Vale last term and has featured for Wednesday on more than occasion, and perhaps a loan move in January would be beneficial for the winger's progress.