Millwall and QPR target Championship veterans in potential Sheffield Wednesday blow

Millwall and Middlesbrough could look to capitalise on the misfortune at Championship rivals Sheffield Wednesday by trying to lure veteran Barry Bannan away from the club.

The Owls have seen a mass exodus of first team stars amid financial problems and The Star adds reports of a potential strike over the latest round of late payments. It all comes just over a week before the start of the Championship campaign, when Sheffield Wednesday begin their season with a trip to Leicester City.

The Star carries the reports of Millwall and Boro interest in Bannan. The 35-year-old has been at Hillsborough since 2015 and it’s claimed that the midfielder doesn’t want to leave the club, but his hand could be forced.

Millwall and Middlesbrough court Sheffield Wednesday veteran

Bannan’s contract expired at the end of June but he has continued to train with Sheffield Wednesday. Should the player have to leave the club then it’s expected that the Lions are putting themselves in a position to be one of the clubs to benefit.

It’s reported that both Alex Neil’s project at The Den and Rob Edwards’ new tenure at the Riverside Stadium could present significantly more secure opportunities that could tempt Bannan, who has 374 second tier appearances to his name.

Meanwhile, Football League World reports that QPR and Watford are set to battle it out to land experienced free agent Cyrus Christie this summer. The 32-year-old is in the market for a new club having been released by Swansea City at the end of the previous campaign.

QPR and Watford target Cyrus Christie

Christie can play either at centre-back or right-back and would add significant experience to both the R’s and the Hornets’ squads. He has played 331 times in the Championship, picking up 10 goals and 30 assists from defence.

The former Derby County and Fulham man would not provide an immediate answer to QPR’s need to sign a left-back. The west London outfit has seen Kenneth Paal leave as a free agent this summer with Harrison Ashby returning to Newcastle United following his loan stay at Loftus Road.

Christie made just 11 appearances in the Championship for Swansea City last season. The year prior, he was handed 27 outings at Hull City but struggled for a spot in the starting XI amid a hamstring problem.

Speaking to the Swansea City website in March, the defender said: “I’ve come here and I’m really enjoying myself. I’ve felt at home from day one and it’s massive when you play somewhere where the fans like you and the manager likes you - I think the players have taken to me as well.

"It’s kind of made me start enjoying football again – at times it has been tough over the last couple of seasons. The style really suits the way that I play even though it’s an unfamiliar position for me. As funny as it sounds, I haven’t really played wing back much, but I’ve come here and adapted to the way the manager plays.

“There’s a lot of running – in the position I’m playing you have to make a lot of unselfish runs to create space which is tough work. But it’s really enjoyable because when you do get the ball you’re usually getting it in good positions.”

In other news, QPR boost as Preston North End boss admits he's 'bothered' by pre-season.