Sheffield Wednesday lose TWO of their top players after they hand in their NOTICE… as the Championship club open the door for players to walk after failing to pay wages

Middlesbrough and Wrexham are among the clubs alert to Michael Smith being allowed to leave crisis club Sheffield Wednesday on a free.

Wednesday confirmed on Thursday that Smith and Josh Windass had had their contracts terminated by ‘mutual consent’.

A number of Championship and League One sides are expressing interest in Smith, 33. The 6ft 3ins striker scored 33 goals in three seasons Wednesday.

Indeed, Smith and Windass scored and assisted 39 of Wednesday’s goals last season and were pivotal to their campaign. 

But both have officially left the club after they tendered notice periods in the wake of the club’s repeat failure to pay wages on time.

A statement read: ‘The Owls can confirm that the current contracts of Michael Smith and Josh Windass have been terminated by mutual consent. Both players leave Hillsborough with immediate effect.’

Wednesday confirmed on Thursday that Smith and Josh Windass (left) had had their contracts terminated by ‘mutual consent’

Windass and Smith follow winger Djeidi Gassama, who signed for Rangers earlier this week.

The two are among a number of first team players to have handed in their notice with more players believed to have taken legal advice on the potential termination of their deals.

Under Football League rules, any player who does not receive his wages in full and on time for two consecutive months is able to request a free transfer after giving 15 days’ notice.