Sheffield Wednesday manager Darren Moore has backed forward Andre Green to take his chance to shine for the Owls in League One next term and believes he is ready to play a major role in the side.

Green was enduring a very uncertain period in his career this time last year following his exit from Aston Villa. It took him a while to find a new club before Sheffield Wednesday signed him back in January on an 18-month deal.

The 22-year-old managed to make 11 Championship appearances for them last term and showed flashes of his ability but could not make a major impact for them as the Owls suffered relegation to League One.

The attacker proved to be Sheffield Wednesday’s match-winner during their pre-season friendly against Alfreton Town on Tuesday and he managed to score the only goal of the contest with a composed finish to Massimo Luongo’s through ball. Those are the sorts of moments that Moore will want to see from him in the league next term.

Speaking to the Sheffield Star, Moore gave a glowing assessment of Green’s performance in the friendly against Alfreton and backed him to become a major player for the Owls in the third tier next season. He also insisted that he will get the chance to shine next term for Sheffield Wednesday.

He said: “It’s his moment now, his moment to come and shine… This is the time. He probably feels like he should’ve scored his first chance but the keeper’s pulled off the save. But he made sure with the second one.

“I thought his 45 minutes was good, I thought he looked sharp, I thought his decision-making and timing of runs was good, as well as his ball manipulation. He’s got the goal, and deserved it, so I’m really pleased with the outing.”

The verdict

This seems like excellent management by Moore. Green is a player that needs an arm around him and someone to instill confidence in him to unlock the potential that he has.

That is something that the Sheffield Wednesday boss has clearly identified and he feels he can potentially have a real match-winner on his hands if he can get the best from the attacker.

Green is at the age now where he has to start showing what he can do on a consistent basis and he has got the chance to be a real star-man for Sheffield Wednesday in League One next term. These are the sorts of chances that the 22-year-old has to step up and show he is ready to take.

The Owls needs inspiration from new sources next term after a host of their most experienced first-team players have left the club. Moore will be looking to players like Green to show that they are the right people for the club to rely upon to lead them to a successful campaign in the third tier.