Marco Matias is confident that Sheffield Wednesday will win promotion to the Premier League under Steve Bruce next season.

The Portuguese winger is one of six out-of-contract players to be released by the Championship club, as Bruce looks to put his own stamp on the squad after taking charge at Hillsborough in February.

Bruce took charge of the club earlier this year, after Jos Luhukay was sacked in December and has lost just three matches in charge of the Owls.

Matias admitted that he was disappointed to miss out on promotion this season, but is backing Sheffield Wednesday to challenge for promotion under Bruce next season.

"We didn't achieve our goal because it was our intention to find a place to fight for the Premier League," Matias told the Sheffield Star.

"We did very well when Steve Bruce came in but unfortunately we did not achieve our goal so I am a bit sad.

"I think the most important thing the manager changed was the mentality, it was the key. And of course for him to put his ideas on the pitch we need time. I think next season will be very different. I hope for better.

"Always Premier League. Always try to achieve the Premier League is always our best goal so I know Sheffield Wednesday are going to fight to achieve the Premier League and I hope that they can make it."

Matias made 31 appearances for Sheffield Wednesday in the Championship this season, scoring six goals and providing two assists for his teammates.

He played his final game for the club in the 2-1 defeat to QPR at Hillsborough on Sunday, as the Owls finished 12th in the Championship table, ten points outside the play-off places.

The Verdict:

Bruce has done a fantastic job for Sheffield Wednesday since taking charge at Hillsborough earlier this year.

He is an extremely experienced manager and has won promotion from the Championship four times in his career, twice with Birmingham City and twice with Hull City.

The Owls boss will be looking to considerably strengthen his squad in the summer and with Bruce in charge, fans have every reason to be confident of their side's chances of promotion next season.