Sturrock wields the axe

Sheffield Wednesday boss Paul Sturrock has wielded the axe on his squad.

The former Plymouth Argyle and Southampton manager has told Richard Evans, Paul Heckingbottom and Lee Peacock that they will not be offered new contracts at the end of the season.

Graeme Lee and Craig Rocastle, who remain under contract for another season, have been told to find pastures new next month.

The Scot has made the moves to try and free up the club's wage bill and allow him to bring in new faces in January.

"I do not want seasoned professionals who have done this club great service over their contracts playing reserve football," Sturrock told the club's official website.

"I also don't want the scenario of players like Graeme Lee and Craig Rocastle on the periphery.

"I would like these players to find homes very quickly, if at all possible. "If we are bringing players to the club in the windows, we have to make sure there are spaces for those players.

"We have players we are hopeful will be coming in sooner rather than later."

Sturrock is keen to find a new striker after seeing The Owls fail to find the scoresheet in their last seven Championship encounters.

The situation has prompted him to recall Danny Reet from his loan spell at League Two side Bury, while The Owls have seemingly joined the chase for sought-after Falkirk striker Darryl Duffy.

Championship rivals Cardiff City and Watford are also in the chase for the Scotland Under-21 international, while Hull City may look to make a fresh bid for Duffy next month.

Wednesday are also thought to have made a move for want-away Rotherham United hit-man Deon Burton following his decision to hand in a transfer request.

It remains to be seen if Sturrock can solve his goalscoring dilemma to his satisfaction, as he tries to keep the South Yorkshire club in The Championship this season.