Sheffield Wednesday have a largely average beginning to the calendar year so far.

The two matches they have played has seen the Owls be held to a goalless draw to home to Wolverhampton Wanderers, and fall out of the FA Cup after a dominating second-half performance from opponents Middlesbrough.

It was the month of December that saw Carlos Carvalhal's side excel into the Championship's top six, but their start to the 2016/17 campaign was very lacklustre compared to last season's play-off final finish.

With one addition to Wednesday's squad this window so far, the arrival of defender Morgan Fox from Charlton Athletic, it may be in the other direction that supporters will see transfer activity.

In my opinion, I think that is how it'll work at Hillsborough this month - in order to strengthen the team, Carvalhal will be forced to axe a number of, either under-performers, or players surplus to requirements.

Here are two players the Portuguese manager needs to axe next week....

 

Lucas Joao

The 23-year-old has struggled to establish himself in the starting eleven at Sheffield Wednesday this season.

He arrived at the Yorkshire club in the summer of 2015 and had a memorable first year at Hillsborough.

Lucas Joao made 48 appearances for the Owls last campaign and netted on eight occasions, of which the most notable came in a dominating 3-0 victory against an under-strength Arsenal side in the League Cup.

The five-time capped Portugal international has struggled at Wednesday this year, however, with the arrival of Gary Hooper 12 months ago and the high-profile name of Steven Fletcher joining in the summer.

Joao has been restricted to as little as 12 matches this season and his only goal has come in the EFL Cup during a 2-1 defeat to League Two outfit Cambridge United.

Manager Carlos Carvalhal needs to trim his first-team during his window and if he wants to bring in new arrivals swiftly then the striker will need to be axed next week in order to do so.

Lucas Joao is finding form hard to come by and it'll be beneficial to both parties if the forward moved on this month.

Urby Emanuelson

Urby Emanuelson has a wealth of experience in continental Europe but hasn't been given the chance to transfer that to his game in England.

The 30- year-old was signed by Sheffield Wednesday manager Carlos Carvalhal in September after his release from Italian outfit Verona, although the versatile left midfielder is yet to play a single minute for the Owls.

He looks to not be in the plans at Hillsborough and a move is on the cards.

Emanuelson has 16 caps for the Netherlands this his name and his CV includes periods at clubs such as AC Milan and fellow Championship side Fulham.

Carvalhal clearly isn't going to be using Urby Emanuelson any time soon, and with his wages to be considered, should be axed this week so Wednesday have extra funds in their hunt for reinforcements this month.