Michael Smith makes League One admission that will please Sheffield Wednesday supporters

Striker Michael Smith is convinced Sheffield Wednesday possess the quality to challenge in the upper reaches of League One next season. The Owls head into the 2022/23 campaign looking to build on a fourth-placed finish.

Boss Darren Moore has wasted no time in revamping his team, recruiting five new faces. Despite capturing Smith, Ben Heneghan, David Stockdale, Will Vaulks and Michael Ihiekwe, Moore is still looking to add a number of players in different positions to his squad before the transfer window shuts in September.

Moore is a big admirer of Hull City forward Mallik Wilks. Wednesday remain hopeful of adding Wilks to their forward line before the start of the new season.

New Sheffield Wednesday recruit Michael Smith hits back at criticism over Rotherham United exit

On the prospect of more signings, Smith said: “That’s a question for the manager but the quality is there in the squad. They came close last year, I’m not exactly sure how many prominent players they’ve lost from last year but that core is still here.

“The manager has done really well so far in the transfer market but any targets you’ll have to speak to him about.”

Smith played an instrumental part in Rotherham United securing automatic promotion and winning the Papa John's Trophy last term. The 30-year-old enjoyed the best goal-scoring season of his career, hitting 25 goals in 54 appearances.

But Smith believes he will become a better player under Moore. “Even at my age I still want to learn and get better," he said.

"Playing alongside good players like Greggers [Lee Gregory], Josh [Windass] and a few others throughout the squad I think I’ll do that. I want to get better and better, pick things up and learn from situations with them. That can only bode