Sheffield Wednesday boss addresses Harlee Dean's Birmingham City future

Darren Moore says Birmingham City defender Harlee Dean must "get his head down" as he prepares to make the next step of his career. The Sheffield Wednesday manager was speaking ahead of this weekend’s clash with AFC Wimbledon where Dean will come up against fellow Blues’ loanee Sam Cosgrove.

He does so having addressed is future following last Saturday’s 4-1 win over Cheltenham, a match in which Dean started for the first time since February 1 and also produced an assist. The centre back admitted he didn’t see a way back for himself at Blues - comments which were put to Moore who was asked if he would like to sign him permanently in the summer.

“I am really pleased to have Harlee here,” Moore said. “At the moment, it is not for me to say because he is still contracted to Birmingham. It would be unprofessional of me to get drawn into that. We thank Birmingham for allowing us to have him here on loan.

“Harlee just needs to get his head down and crack on with the team and continue showing his wealth of experience. He is a good player and that is why we brought him in.

“He is back in training and being as competitive as ever. He is vying to start games for us. I am pleased he is back fit and he is available to play games for us.

“He was as frustrated as anybody when he picked up his little injury because he wanted that consistent run of games. He didn’t play in the first half of the season and then he played two games back to back in a short period of time. He probably strained one of his muscles.

“But he is back now and has played the last couple of games. We have had a week in between and his training has been going up. He has got to continue getting fitter and stronger and I am sure he will.”

Dean joined Blues from