Jerry Yates makes admission over Sheffield Wednesday future as he explains Luton Town situation
jerry yates has told club staff he will return to Luton in the summer to re-evaluate his future after a loan spell at Sheffield Wednesday that has seen him endear himself to Hillsborough supporters and add goals to the Owls’ tally. The 29-year-old striker, signed permanently by Luton last summer and loaned to Wednesday in January, scored a headed goal in a 2-1 defeat to his former club Derby County at the weekend. He says he will sit down with Luton in the summer and decide whether to stay there, return, or move elsewhere.
Jerry Yates showing form and connection at Hillsborough
The forward arrived at Sheffield Wednesday in the winter window as a short-term loan to compensate for departures and has since won praise for his work ethic and rapport with the crowd. He scored his second goal in Owls colours in the 2-1 loss at Derby County, heading home to underline a recent upturn in form after a difficult spell at Kenilworth Road. The striker cut his teeth at Rotherham United’s academy, moved on to Blackpool where his career progressed, spent time at Swansea City and on loan at Derby, and joined Luton Town on a permanent basis before the loan to Wednesday.
Sources within the club note that supporters have taken to the forward and that his attitude in training has impressed staff. Wednesday will be playing in League One next season, and the prospect of being a key figure in the club’s rebuild has been identified as a potential attraction for the player.
Reactions from the player and club figures
Jerry Yates, on-loan striker at Sheffield Wednesday, said: “Listen, it’s a tough situation. I have got two years left on my contract at Luton. I will go back to them in the summer, re-evaluate, sit down and speak. Whether it be with them or whether it be elsewhere, I don’t know yet. But listen, to be playing in front of fans like that every week would be sensational. I have never seen fans like that. There is only a certain amount of clubs in England that can get a following like that, especially in this position, and be bouncing for the full 90 minutes. It is what the lads need. It’s massive. I am very appreciative of it. “
Henrik Pedersen, Sheffield Wednesday manager, commented on the striker’s impact: “You can feel Jerry loves this club. He’s working so hard every day in training. He always tries to do his best in the game. He’s a fantastic character. To see him score a goal today, it was nice for all of us. “
Jack Wilshere, Luton Town chief, reflected on the loan situation and Yates’s prospects: “I know at times it was tough for him. We talk about the social media side of things, he was probably one that suffered from that a lot. His confidence was low and it just didn’t quite work out for him. So I hope he goes, I hope he finds his confidence, I hope he scores some goals. He’s still our player, he’s on loan, he’ll be back in the summer and let’s see if he comes back a different Jerry Yates. He’s been excellent. His attitude and his commitment to try and help the team… It’s a loan, so let’s see how he gets on. We’ll still keep our eye on him, still keep in touch with him, so I hope he does well there. “
Transfer picture and what comes next
Observers point to Yates’s proven record at League One level — cited as 23 goals and eight assists in 84 appearances for clubs including Blackpool and Rotherham United — as a key reason why a permanent move could be attractive for Sheffield Wednesday if the club can resolve its transfer constraints. With two years remaining on his Luton contract, the striker has said he will return to his parent club in the summer and hold discussions that will determine whether he remains at Luton, moves permanently to Sheffield Wednesday, or pursues another option.
The immediate next development is the summer evaluation Yates described, when he will sit down with Luton officials to decide his next step. Fans and club officials alike will be watching that process closely as they assess whether a permanent switch to Hillsborough is on the cards for jerry yates.
