Ex-Sheffield Wednesday and Sunderland striker Connor Wickham joins Championship club on trial

Ex-Owls striker Connor Wickham has been taken on trial by Championship club Reading. The 29-year-old was included in the Royals squad for their pre-season friendly against Colchester United on Saturday.

Wickham is searching for a new club, having been released by Milton Keynes Dons following their play-off semi-final defeat. The three-time Wednesday loanee, found game time hard to come by at the Stadium MK in the 2021/22 campaign. Wickham made just two league starts as the Dons finished third in the table.

It is not yet known if the former Sunderland and Ipswich Town forward will be offered a permanent deal by Reading. Paul Ince's side are currently under a transfer embargo after breaching Profitability and Sustainability rules, restricting them to signing free agents and loan players.

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The Royals tried to sign Wickham two years ago but the ex-England Under-21 international opted to join the Owls for a third time. Wickham scored two goals in his 13 Wednesday outings under Garry Monk

A spate of injuries during his career means Wickham has not played as much football as he would have liked at 29. He has struggled to for goals, finding the back of the net just four times in 38 matches at Premier League, Championship and League One level in recent years.

Wickham is not the only former Wednesday player that Reading are currently running the rule over as they continue their preparations ahead of the new season. Midfielder Massimo Luongo is said to be training with Ince's side with a view to signing on a permanent basis.

Luongo, who spent three years at Hillsborough, left the club this summer after turning down a new contract offer.