Sheffield Wednesday defender Matt Penney says he is determined to prove his worth to Steve Bruce during pre-season, report the Sheffield Star. 

The 21-year-old has returned to full fitness after spending three months out of action following surgery on a freak shoulder injury in training, an injury that means he is yet to make an appearance under the Owls boss, but Penney is eager to put that right.

"Pre-season is going to be massive for me," he said.

"I have to show what I am capable of in training and in the games. If I get a good pre-season under my belt, that will set me up well for the challenges ahead.

"But I am confident in myself. My aim is to play and I want to play as many games as I possibly can and show the fans and the gaffer what I can do."

Despite it ending disappointingly, last season proved to be a breakthrough campaign for the left-back, who made 17 appearances before the end of 2018 under Jos Luhukay.

But a dip in form coupled with the shoulder injury saw his season end in an untimely fashion, leaving him plenty to do this summer if he is to prove himself.

The January transfer window saw left-back Achraf Lazaar arrive on loan from Newcastle United and it remains a position of concern for Bruce.

The verdict

It would be great to see Penney get back to his best under Bruce.

He was excellent in the early stages of last season and it was real shame to see his campaign fizzle out, both for himself and the fans who he had become a real favourite of.

A solid pre-season from him, however, would solve one transfer headache that Bruce no doubt has at the moment and I would back the former Villa boss to get the best out of him as well.