Sheffield Wednesday chairman Milan Mandaric has declared his clubs’ interest in signing former Barnsley winger Michael McIndoe who is looking for a new club after being released by Coventry City.

A return to Barnsley has also been reported, as well as a potential move to Huddersfield or another of his former clubs – Doncaster Rovers.

It was after an impressive spell at Donny that McIndoe’s ability was recognised by other managers.  Former Barnsley manager Andy Ritchie signed him just before the Reds first season back in the Championship for around £125,000.  The Scot continued the impressive performances that had the media singing his praises during Rovers’ league-cup run of the previous season which saw him score goals against Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa.

There had been whispers that McIndoe’s lifestyle, said to include excessive drinking, had been limiting his potential however he quickly emerged as one of the Championships’ star players whilst at Barnsley.  After just a few months, 18 league games and four goals, Wolverhampton Wanderers activated a clause in McIndoe’s contract and signed him for just £250,000.

At the end of the 2006/07 season, McIndoe joined his third club in the space of a year – Bristol City, and was virtually ever-present in the side for two seasons scoring twelve league goals.  Sheffield United were interested in bringing him back to South Yorkshire but cancelled a proposed half a million pound transfer following concerns over his fitness.

After leaving City, McIndoe joined Coventry but for the latter half of last season he was allowed to go on loan to Milton Keynes Dons.  Coventry chose not to renew his expiring contract at the end of the season.

As good as McIndoe was in his brief time in a Barnsley shirt, that was almost five years ago and there are signs, at 31, that he is no longer cut-out for the Championship.  He should however be a good signing for a League One team and Sheffield Wednesday, who should be in a position to mount a promotion challenge next season, look like they will sign him in the coming days.