If Sheffield Wednesday are to earn automatic promotion from League One this season then they will need everybody in their squad to contribute.

Sadly, it seems as if the Owls have been carrying the extra weight of Callum Paterson for too long, as the versatile striker has struggled for goals across the past two seasons.

With the former Cardiff City man way down the pecking order in Darren Moore's side at Hillsborough, the former West Brom boss should consider selling him in January, as it seems as if he is now surplus to requirements.

Paterson joined Sheffield Wednesday in 2020 and he would be a hit in his first season at Hillsborough despite their relegation to the third tier, as he hit eight goals and four assists in 43 Championship appearances.

However, despite the drop in division, he has found life harder in League One, with just six goals in 40 appearances last season, which saw him average a less-than-impressive 6.67 rating from WhoScored, which ranked him as the 18th-best performer in Sheffield Wednesday's squad.

It was no surprise therefore when Moore brought in attacking options such as Michael Smith, Malik Wilks and Alex Mighten during the summer, all of which appear to be ahead of Paterson in the manager's thinking right now.

The 28-year-old has managed nine appearances in the league this term, scoring just one goal and averaging a terrible 6.27 rating from WhoScored, which ranks him as the 20th-best performer in the squad, emphasising just how poor he has been.

Moore spoke about what Paterson adds to the squad last season when he endured a disappointing run of form in front of goal, which saw him fail to score between early October and late February.

He said: "I would love him to get a goal… He works so tirelessly and is an important member of the team. He adds so much versatility. He has played in midfield, defence and up front this season."

However, Moore's patience with Paterson's goalscoring woes must surely be running out, as he has been very poor on his limited appearances so far this season.

Considering his £12k-per-week contract at Hillsborough is set to expire at the end of the current campaign, Moore should surely be looking to get rid of him in January, rather than losing him for nothing next year.