"What's the point?" - Pundit eases Sheffield Wednesday fears over Southampton transfer situation | OneFootball

Carlton Palmer has given his view on whether Sheffield Wednesday's on-loan midfielder Shea Charles will be recalled by Southampton in January.

Pundit Carlton Palmer does not believe Southampton will recall midfielder Shea Charles from his loan spell at Sheffield Wednesday in January.

Charles joined Wednesday on a season-long loan from Southampton in the final week of the transfer window, and he has made a big impact at Hillsborough so far, with the 20-year-old's introduction to the team coinciding with a significant upturn in form for Danny Rohl's side.

The Northern Ireland international has started all six league games since his arrival, and he scored a late winner for the Owls in their 2-1 win at Coventry City on Saturday, which saw them move up to 15th in the Championship table.

Charles is quickly becoming a firm fan favourite in South Yorkshire, but Rohl raised concern over his future last week when he admitted that he could not rule out the possibility of the Saints activating their option to recall the midfielder in January.

"Hopefully we can keep him the whole season - you never know what happens if he performs in this direction," Rohl told The Star.

"For me, he is a great player and you see what it means when you bring quality players in. This is the difference in this league."

Carlton Palmer on Shea Charles' Sheffield Wednesday future

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, Palmer played down fears that Southampton could recall Charles in January, insisting that playing regular football at Wednesday for the rest of the season would be best for his development.

"Danny Rohl pulled off a fantastic coup in signing Shea Charles on loan in the transfer window, he was the last signing to come in," Palmer said.

"There's a case to be made that Charles has been Danny Rohl's best signing so far this season.

"The 20-year-old has featured six times in the Championship this season, and Charles earned big praise against Coventry last time out after scoring a late winner in the 2-1 win.

"Formerly of Manchester City, Southampton signed Charles in a deal reportedly worth £15 million in the summer of 2023, with Charles going on to feature 38 times last season.

"Russell Martin's side aren't going great guns in the Premier League, so obviously there are fears of Charles being recalled, but having listened to what's been said, I think Southampton are delighted he is getting game time, and that is what you send your players out on loan for.

"You want your players to do well, so although Southampton are struggling, I think they are unlikely to recall him in January.

"I'm sure Danny Rohl is in constant dialogue with Southampton about that because if there's any intention for Charles to be recalled, then they have to get moving and get another player in.

"I'm sure Danny Rohl is a very, very thorough person, I'm sure he'll be talking to Russell Martin and finding out exactly where he stands, I don't think it's going to happen at the last minute.

"For the player's good, if he's not going to play there's no reason to recall him, what's the point?

"I'm confident that he will see the season out, but if Southampton are relegated to the Championship, then obviously he'll be returning to Southampton, that is for sure.

"But it depends how Sheffield Wednesday do this season, maybe there is a deal to be done by Dejphon Chansiri to sign Charles permanently, maybe they can explore that option.

"But I'm sure Danny Rohl is thorough, he'll be looking into all the scenarios."

Sheffield Wednesday facing anxious Shea Charles wait

Palmer is right that Southampton will likely allow Charles to remain at Hillsborough for the rest of the season, but if he maintains his current form, the Premier League side may be tempted to recall him in January.

Saints head coach Russell Martin described Charles' move to Wednesday as "perfect for him at this stage in his career", so he will be delighted to see him thriving with the Owls, and he will be reluctant to cut his loan spell short.

However, Martin is under pressure at St Mary's after his side's poor start to life back in the top flight, and while he looks set to survive the October international break, there are big question marks over whether he will still be in charge in January.