Owls turn down Wood request

Defender accepts Laws' decision

Last updated: 31st August 2008

Owls turn down Wood request

Wood: Happy to stay now

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Brian Laws has confirmed Sheffield Wednesday have turned down a transfer request from Richard Wood.

The promising defender has attracted interest from Coventry City and recently asked to leave Hillsborough.

He has been told to stay with the Championship club and Owls boss Laws feels that Wood understands his decision.

"Richard Wood did hand in a transfer request and I am not prepared to lie about it because it is a fact," Laws told the club's official website.

Moving forward

"The media have already got hold of it, so I am not going to defend it or deny it, but I have spoken to him at length and I have told him that there is no way that the request will be granted. The club have made that 100 per cent clear and he accepts that.

"I want to build a team around Woody and he is very much in my plans as much as anybody else in the squad. We could sell any number of players, but we are not selling our best young players at this present time.

"The reasons behind this are between the club and Woody and I don't think it is fair they are made public. It is nothing personal, he just had thoughts in his head, but he accepts our decision and will give 110 per cent for this football club while he is here.

"I am satisfied, and I want the supporters to be reassured, that from the discussions I have had with Richard that we are happy about the way we are moving forward and that Richard Wood is part of our plans."