Stuart Gray tips Will Keane, Lewis Baker for Premier League impact

By Liam Apicella, Features Editor | 28 January 2015

Stuart Gray tips Will Keane and Lewis Baker to follow in the footsteps of Ross Barkley and Connor Wickham once their loan stints at Sheffield Wednesday are completed.

Sheffield Wednesday manager Stuart Gray has backed Will Keane and Lewis Baker to benefit from their loan spells with the Championship club.

Keane, who is on the books of Manchester United, and Chelsea's Baker both arrived at Hillsborough earlier this month on deals that will expire at the end of the season.

Having seen Ross Barkley and Connor Wickham recently flourish with their parent clubs in the Premier League following temporary stints with the Owls, Gray has insisted that Keane and Baker can go on to make similar impressions.

Speaking after last night's 0-0 draw with Birmingham City, Gray told the club's official website: "I thought they did well. Their ball retention was very good, with Will providing a good outlet up top.

"They are talented players and we are a good club where they can develop their game. You only have to look at the likes of Ross Barkley and Connor Wickham and how they progressed in their time with us, so hopefully Will and Lewis will do the same."

Wednesday are currently ninth in the Championship, 11 points adrift of the playoffs.