Sheffield Wednesday have not given up hope of keeping Cardiff City star Mark McGuinness until the end of the season.
WalesOnline understands the Bluebirds will recall McGuinness from his loan at Hillsborough early following his outstanding form for the League One side.
He was impressive in the Owls' 2-1 win over Newcastle United on Saturday night, with McGuinness seen to be waving goodbye to supporters at the full-time whistle.
Boss Darren Moore said post-match that they were doing everything they could to persuade Cardiff to leave the defender at the club until the end of the season.
“We’ve sent back the agreement papers and made it clear we’d like him to stay, but we have got to wait for that answer to come back from Cardiff in terms of what they want to do with him,” he said.
“We know he’s their player but I thought he was magnificent again tonight and all season he’s helped give us a platform. I hope he comes back for the second half and continues the job he has started here. If not, we thank him and thank Cardiff.”
A decision is set to be made in the coming days, with Moore slapping a deadline on talks.
Moore added: “If not by now, by Monday or Tuesday we’ll know. Latest We want to know because if he’s going to stay we want him to play on Saturday.”
Moore is under no illusions that McGuinness can go far in the game having witnessed first-hand how good the Arsenal product is.
“He can go all the way," he added. "He played up against a top, top talent in [Newcastle forward Alexander] Isak and you saw his talent and composure. He can play in the Premier League, the sky is the limit for him.
“What I like about him is that he’s so level-headed. There’s a leader in the making there.”
On commentary duty, Martin Keown was also impressed and believes clubs further up the food chain will have taken notice of his performance against the in-form Magpies.
“I have to say that’s a fantastic pinch there again from McGuinness," he said. "I’m sure there’ll be teams watching from higher up taking a look at this boy."
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