Sheffield Wednesday's manager has reiterated his desire to re-sign Lewis McGugan.

McGugan spent six weeks on loan at Hillsborough, making seven starts, and Owls boss Stuart Gray wanted the 26-year-old to extend his stay.

Watford ideally want to sell McGugan before the transfer window closes on February 2 but have not been in a rush to push him out of the door.

Gray believes Wednesday's fans didn't see the best of McGugan until the end of his temporary stay as the midfielder needed to become match fit - despite starting his last Hornets game less than three weeks before his arrival at Hillsborough.

Gray told the Sheffield Star: "We wanted to extend it (the loan) and Lewis was keen to stay but Watford didn’t allow it.

"Watford have brought in Ben Watson from Wigan so that might allow us to bring in Lewis. I am always interested in bringing in players who are better than the ones we have got.

"If there is a chance, I will keep plugging away."

McGugan is not training with the Hornets' first team despite the club having a number of injuries in his position and the club hope to sign another midfielder - and centre back - before the window closes next week.