Sheffield Wednesday's hopes of achieving an immediate return to the Championship were dashed earlier this week as they were eliminated from the play-offs by Sunderland.

A late strike from Patrick Roberts secured a 2-1 victory on aggregate for the Black Cats who are set to face Wycombe Wanderers at Wembley Stadium later this month.

In order to have the best chance of challenging for automatic promotion in League One next season, the Owls will need to sign some fresh faces in the upcoming transfer window.

Whereas Darren Moore could potentially spend a reasonable amount of money to secure the services of some classy operators, he may also find it beneficial to turn to the free-agency market for inspiration.

With a plethora of players facing uncertain futures at their respective clubs, there is no reason why the Owls cannot pick up a bargain this summer.

Here, we have decided to take a look at eight soon-to-be free agents who we believe would fit perfectly into Sheffield Wednesday's squad...

When you consider that Sam Hutchinson and Chey Dunkley are both out of contract this summer and loanees Lewis Gibson, Jordan Storey and Harlee Dean are all set to return to their parent-clubs, Wednesday will need to bolster their options at centre-back in the coming months.

One of the individuals who the Owls should be looking to sign is Cheltenham Town defender Will Boyle who is expected to be available on a free transfer this summer.

Boyle demonstrated that he is more than capable of competing in the third-tier during the 2021/22 campaign as he recorded an average WhoScored match rating of 6.88 in the 31 appearances that he made at this level.

Wednesday are set to wave goodbye to loanee Bailey Peacock-Farrell in the coming weeks when he returns to Burnley.

In need of a new goalkeeper, the Owls may find it beneficial to secure the services of an experienced player this summer.

Alex Smithies could potentially fit the bill for Wednesday as he has made 482 senior appearances during his career and will be confident in his ability to deliver the goods in the third-tier due to the fact that he has featured at this level before.

Michael Ihiekwe could be considered as an alternative option to Boyle if Wednesday are unable to convince the Cheltenham man to make the switch to South Yorkshire.

The 29-year-old has yet to agree fresh terms with Rotherham United and thus is currently on course to become a free-agent in June.

Ihiekwe helped Rotherham secure promotion to the Championship earlier this month by averaging an incredibly impressive WhoScored match rating of 7.22 in the third-tier.

By replicating these displays in an Owls shirt next season, the defender could potentially help Moore's side reach new heights in League One.

Another Rotherham player who Wednesday should be keeping a close eye on is Freddie Ladapo whose current contract at the AESSEAL New York Stadium is set to reach a crescendo this summer.

Wednesday witnessed first-hand just how big of an impact Ladapo can make at this level as he scored against them in last month's meeting at Hillsborough.

When you consider that Ladapo has managed to find the back of the net on 49 occasions at this level during his career, he could prove to be a fantastic addition to the Owls' squad if they are able to secure his services on a free transfer.

If Wednesday are unable to convince Smithies to join the club, they should be looking into the possibility of swooping for Derby County goalkeeper Ryan Allsop who is also out of contract this summer.

Although Allsop was unable to prevent the Rams from suffering relegation from the Championship, he did produce some promising performances at this level.

In the 30 appearances that he made at this level, Allsop averaged a respectable SofaScore match rating of 6.92.

By hitting the ground running for the Owls, the 29-year-old could become the club's first-choice shot-stopper.

Another Derby player who is set to become a free-agent this summer if fresh terms cannot be agreed is Curtis Davies.

A stand-out performer for the Rams in the second-tier during the previous campaign, Davies featured in every league game for the club and was named as their Player of the Season earlier this month.

Having recorded a SofaScore match rating of 7.04 at this level for Derby, the defender could potentially go on to excel for Wednesday if they are able to sign him on a short-term deal this summer.

Given that Wednesday are currently only able to call upon the services of one out-and-out left-back (Jaden Brown), they may find it beneficial to strengthen their options in this particular position.

If the Owls are feeling ambitious, they should try and secure the services of Kristian Pedersen who is expected to leave Birmingham City when his contract expires.

Capable of playing as a left-back and as a centre-back, Pedersen averaged a respectable SofaScore match rating of 6.78 in the second-tier last season and could go on to thrive in a lower division.

Another goalkeeper who Wednesday ought to be keeping tabs on ahead of the upcoming window is Liam Roberts.

The 27-year-old's deal at Northampton Town is set to expire in June and thus the Owls will be able to sign him on a free transfer if fresh terms cannot be agreed.

A stand-out performer for the Cobblers in League Two this season, Roberts has kept an incredibly impressive total of 21 clean-sheets at this level and has previously featured in the third-tier for Walsall.