Sheffield Wednesday boss Henrik Pedersen has expressed strong confidence that Manchester United full-back Harry Amass will rejoin the Championship club for the remainder of the campaign. The teenager arrived at Hillsborough during the summer window as Ruben Amorim sought to provide him with vital first-team exposure.

Amass featured 21 times for the Owls during the opening half of the season before his temporary deal concluded at the start of January. Several Championship sides, including Stoke City, are understood to be keen on securing the 18-year-old’s services for the second half of the campaign.

The youngster was absent from Wednesday’s matchday squad for their 2-0 FA Cup defeat to Brentford last weekend, with his most recent outing for the South Yorkshire outfit coming on January 4 against QPR.

However, speaking during his press conference on Thursday, Pedersen revealed his growing optimism about Amass’ potential return.

He said: “With Harry there is good communication, but we’ve not finalised anything. So in the end I don’t know where that will end, but I’m still positive.”

Pedersen then added: “I think I’m between hopeful and confident about it.

“It’s more than just hope, because there is also a belief that it can happen. But there are still many circumstances in the big picture, however I have hope and belief that it can still happen. So let’s see how things go in the next few days.

“I hope that there will be a decision soon, because otherwise we have to think what we will do instead of him.”

Since the loan agreement was initially struck with Wednesday for Amass, Amorim has departed Old Trafford and Michael Carrick has stepped in on an interim basis.

There’s no suggestion that United are considering recalling Amass to feature in the first team this season. The Reds currently have Luke Shaw and Patrick Dorgu vying for the left-back position.