Sheffield Wednesday have recovered from a poor start to the season as they look to go one step further than last season and gain promotion to the Premier League.
One of the reasons for Sheffield Wednesday's success this season has been the high quality and calibre of recruitments made both in the summer and in the January transfer window.
Although Carlos Carvalhal has looked to strengthen his squad with players who are vastly experienced at the Premier League and Championship level, he may see the lower leagues as an untapped market for the South Yorkshire side.
If Sheffield Wednesday were to turn to the lower leagues, they have the finances to compete for the hottest prospects, as well as having the opportunity to unearth a hidden gem.
Carlos Carvalhal may also look to bring in some young talent from the lower leagues as part of a long-term plan for the South Yorkshire club.
FLW writer Elliott Wheat-Bowen looks at three lower league stars Sheffield Wednesday must be keeping tabs on.
Leonardo Da Silva Lopes
One of the hottest prospects in the Football League is Peterborough United's Portuguese starlet Leonardo Da Silva Lopes.
After breaking through Peterborough United's academy, the 18-year-old central midfielder has been ever-present in the heart of Peterborough's midfield this season.
Da Silva Lopes' performance against Chelsea in the FA Cup was a standout moment for the midfielder as he proved that he was more than capable of competing at a higher level.
Considering the Portuguese influence of Carlos Carvalhal at Sheffield Wednesday, he may see his compatriot Da Silva Lopes as a potential future star for Sheffield Wednesday.
Although Da Silva Lopes has been linked with a move to the Premier League, Sheffield Wednesday have proved that they have the finances to compete with Premier League sides.
As one of the most highly rated young talents in League 1, Leonardo Da Silva Lopes is a lower league star that Sheffield Wednesday must be keeping tabs on.
Ryan Ledson
After emerging from Everton's academy, 19-year-old midfielder Ryan Ledson was believed to be a future star for the Premier League club as Roberto Martinez at the time stated that Ledson would be a first team player for Everton.
However as a surprise to many, in the summer, Ryan Ledson was allowed to leave as he joined League 1 side Oxford United.
Following the meteoric rise of Kieran Dowell and Tom Davies, Ryan Ledson fell down the pecking order behind the supremely talented academy graduates.
Oxford United have profited as Ryan Ledson has proved to be one of the best midfielders in League 1 this season, despite only being 19-years-old.
The performances of Ledson over the course of this season has seen his stock rise and a number of Championship sides monitor his progress.
As one of the most highly rated prospects in League 1 who is capable of performing at a higher level, Sheffield Wednesday must be keeping tabs on the England Under 20 international.
Josh Morris
After joining Scunthorpe United on a free transfer from Bradford City, Josh Morris has found an environment and club that suits his playing style.
This season, the talented left winger has scored nineteen times and supplied nine assists in just thirty-five League 1 appearances.
Considering that this has been Josh Morris' most prolific season to date, Morris has emerged as one of the players of the season in League 1 this season.
Josh Morris was linked with a move to the Championship in the latter stages of the January transfer window with Wigan Athletic and Sheffield Wednesday reportedly interested.
Having already began attracting attention from the Championship, it is expected that Graham Alexander and Scunthorpe United will face great difficulty keeping Josh Morris at the club beyond the summer.
As one of the hottest prospects in League 1 this season, Josh Morris is a lower league star Sheffield Wednesday must be keeping tabs on.