Can Former Eagle Become Flying Owl?

Midfielder Tom Soares has endured a relatively frustrating loan spell at Wednesday so far, but could last night’s goal reignite the spark in the Stoke City man?

Soares was brought to Hillsborough on an initial one-month loan spell by former boss Brian Laws before Christmas, a move which was welcomed with open arms by the majority of Wednesdayites.

But, strangely, the former Crystal Palace man didn’t feature in any of Brian Laws’ starting line-ups before the manager’s departure from the club.

The loan signing, which came about at the same time as Cardiff striker Warren Feeney, another player not to get a starting role – was seen as a panic move by a manager who was in the last chance saloon.

And with Laws leaving the club, Soares could well have expected a return to parent club Stoke City to end what was thus far a nightmare spell for the midfielder.

But caretaker boss Sean McAuley ensured Soares got game time, and extended his deal for another month at S6.

Since then, Soares has featured heavily and has started both games for new manager Alan Irvine, a manager who’s clearly a big fan of the midfielder.

The 23-year-old still doesn’t look 100 per cent fit, but seems to be getting nearer and nearer the mark with every minute of football played, and that can only be a good thing for the Owls.

His goal at Blackpool last night, the first in Wednesday’s confidence-boosting 2-1 win at Bloomfield Road, could well provide the spark to see Soares return to his best form.

And Irvine could well be hoping Soares’ upturn in form doesn’t see him return to Stoke.

Soares’ second month on loan at S6 comes to an end after the Owls’ huge Championship clash against Peterborough United on Saturday.

But his performances of late could well see Irvine try and keep the player for another month, or even until the end of the season.

It’d certainly be a welcome move, especially as Irvine has publically revealed that he may well have to make do with his current playing staff until the end of the campaign, such are the finances at the club.

Soares has certainly improved with each game, and his best could well be yet to come…