Sheffield Wednesday were many people's 'surprise package' last season after the Owls had an unbelievable campaign.

Carlos Carvalhal's squad ended up finishing in the top six, winning a place to compete in the play-offs. However, the season eventually ended in disappointment as Wednesday narrowly lost to Hull City at Wembley.

Even though the season did end on a sour note, in the bigger picture it was a very successful season for the Owls and they will be hoping to build on their 6th place finish.

Carvalhal has brought in striker Steven Fletcher ahead of the new campaign but Wednesday fans will be hoping that their summer business hasn't stopped there.

The Owls already have a very strong starting XI but they will be hoping to see the strength in depth of the squad improve, along with some proven players similar to Fletcher be brought to the club.

FLW writer Tom Rawcliffe picks the XI who could end up winning the title for Sheffield Wednesday next season.....

GK - Keiren Westwood

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Since joining in 2014, the Republic of Ireland international has been an ever-present in between the sticks for Wednesday.

The former Coventry goalkeeper is one of the most experienced shot stoppers in the Championship with 212 appearances in the second tier of English football.

The 'keeper has spent the last month in France with the Republic of Ireland squad. Despite not making an appearance in the Championships, the call-up itself shows his undoubted ability.

His experience on top of his ability plays a big part in the squad's success and he will no doubt play an integral part in the squad next season.

RB - Jack Hunt

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Full-back Jack Hunt is another player who was pretty much an ever-present in the Wednesday side last time round.

After joining the club on loan from Premier League club Crystal Palace at the beginning of the campaign, Hunt joined the club permanently in the January transfer window.

Featuring in 40 games for the Owls, he turned out to be a great acquisition and Wednesday fans will be hoping to see the same kind of form from him next season.

CB - Sam Hutchinson

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With Glenn Loovens lack of pace becoming more and more obvious in the last few seasons, Wednesday may look elsewhere for a player to form a solid partnership with Tom Lees.

Despite his main and more natural position being defensive midfield, Sam Hutchinson can also occupy a place at centre-half.

The former Chelsea man is thought very highly of at Wednesday but unfortunately, he is particularly injury prone.

Everybody connected with the club will be hoping to see the 26-year-old complete a rare full season without an injury.

If he does manage to stay clear injury free then he will no doubt play an integral part in the season whether it be at centre-half or in midfield.

CB - Tom Lees

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Centre-back Tom Lees made a controversial move to join Wednesday from Yorkshire rivals Leeds United in 2014 and he has played plenty of football since.

The 24-year-old has made just short of 100 appearances for the Owls and in that time he has played a crucial part in the club's performances in the last couple of seasons.

Lees provides a high level of solidity and leadership to the back line of the Wednesday squad and his presence in the side is always very evident.

Realistically, Wednesday could do with another centre-half in case Hutchinson gets injured because the back-up is arguably not good enough quality to win the league.

LB - Daniel Pudil

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Left-back Daniel Pudil is currently on the books of Premier League side Watford but it remains a real possibility that he will join the Owls where he spent last season on loan.

The Czech Republic international featured 42 times for the Yorkshire side and helped the team to 14 clean sheets in the games that they played.

The signing of the consistently good full-back would be a great boost to Sheffield Wednesday ahead of the new season and the fans will be hoping for more of the same from the former Champions League player.

RM - Ross Wallace

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Another player who played a huge part in Sheffield Wednesday's success last season is Ross Wallace.

The Scottish international has featured almost 300 times in the Championship, scoring 32 goals and creating another 65.

But experience isn't all that he adds to the side. His ability was questioned when he was released by Burnley but he has proved that he has definitely still got it at Sheffield Wednesday.

His ability from set pieces is second-to-none as he has proved over and over again throughout his whole career.

As well as Wallace, Wednesday could also do with bringing at least one more winger to strengthen their ranks out wide.

CM - Kieran Lee

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Lee joined the Owls from Oldham Athletic back in 2012 and he has featured more than 140 times for Wednesday since the move.

Lee is an extremely versatile player having played in many positions on the field ranging from defensive midfield to playing wide right.

The former Manchester United midfielder played the most amount of football in the whole of the Sheffield Wednesday squad last season and he will no doubt play a huge part in the next campaign as well.

 

CM - Barry Bannan

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Bannan made the move to Hillsborough from Bolton Wanderers before the last campaign and his achievements during the season were monumental.

The former Premier League midfielder featured 41 times for the Owls last season and contributed 3 goals whilst providing 2 assists.

The impressive performances just kept coming from the Scottish international and his reward was a place in the PFA Championship Team of the Year.

Wednesday fans will be hoping to see similar performances from Bannan next season as they look to build on their play-off defeat.

With players such as Filipe Melo also within the ranks, they also have players who can provide a bit of bite in midfield.

LM - Fernando Forestieri

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Despite his favoured position being in the striker position, Forestieri may have to settle for a position out on the left after the signing of Steven Fletcher.

The Italian had a great first season with the club after joining from Premier League side Watford.

The 26-year-old featured 39 times for the Owls and he managed a very impressive return. Over the course of the season he accumulated a total of 15 goals and 8 assists.

Even if he was to be played on the wing, he would still be seen as a potent threat and will no doubt contribute massively.

ST - Gary Hooper

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Hooper joined the Owls on loan in October of last season but his impressive spell led to the club signing him on a permanent deal.

The former Celtic striker scored 13 goals during the season and formed a very strong partnership with Forestieri, working together to fire their side into the play-off places.

This next season will be Hooper's first full season with the club and he will be hoping that he can pick up where he left off. He will also most likely find himself playing with a new striking partner...

ST - Steven Fletcher

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Steven Fletcher is currently the only new recruit in the XI as he signed from Premier League club Sunderland at the start of the month.

The Scottish striker is without a doubt one of the most experienced players in the Football League in terms of Premier League appearances.

The 29-year-old has played a massive 189 games in the top flight of English football, with a return of 56 goals.

Despite having no previous experience of playing at this level, Fletcher will be hoping that he can hit the ground running at Sheffield Wednesday, as will the Owls supporters.