It’s fair to say David Bates’ stint at Sheffield Wednesday hasn’t gone to plan. The 23-year-old struggled for first-team football during the tail-end of his debut season at Hamburger SV and opted for a loan move away to get more opportunities. Bates has spent the majority of the campaign on the periphery, however, and may be considering his future at Hillsborough.
The Scottish international joined Wednesday on loan in August 2019 and has gone on to make just one appearance in all competitions. Bates’ only outing came in the Owls’ EFL Cup win over Rotherham United (August 28). He was an unused substitute four times between August and September but has since been left out of the matchday squad.
Bates finds himself behind Dominic Iorfa, Julian Borner and Tom Lees in the pecking order under Garry Monk and doesn’t even get a recall to the bench when one of the trio is injured. Alex Miller of the Sheffield Star believes the 23-year-old is finished at Wednesday but doesn’t know if Hamburg have a recall clause attached to his contract.
Bates’ loan move to Hillsborough was devised to get first-team football, so he won’t be happy being frozen out for another four months.
Where should Sheffield Wednesday strengthen in the transfer market?
Goalkeeper
Defence
Midfield
Attack
