Sheffield Wednesday intend to keep George Brown at Hillsborough until at least January as the young striker works his way back from a long-term hamstring injury.

The 20-year-old’s immediate future had been uncertain, with a loan move one potential route once he recovered. Henrik Pedersen has now confirmed that no decision of that nature will be made during the current transfer window, allowing Wednesday to oversee the closing stages of his rehabilitation.

Brown is still several weeks away from returning. He underwent surgery around April after suffering a setback during his initial recovery and did not take part in pre-season, but Pedersen believes he is beginning to regain confidence.

“It’s going really well. He is working really, really hard. He’s running. He has improved a lot. I see a boy who, when he’s coming in, that he has a smile because he has a belief again.

“But of course, it will take some more weeks. I think it’s six, eight weeks more.”

That estimate points towards a possible return during October, although Wednesday are placing greater importance on building Brown’s physical resilience than setting a firm date. Before he can be considered for matches, the forward must demonstrate that he can train repeatedly at first-team intensity without suffering another reaction.

Pedersen Refuses To Rush Brown Decision

Pedersen told The Star that Brown’s performances last season remain fresh in the club’s thinking. He scored twice across seven Championship appearances, finding the net against Portsmouth and Birmingham City before injury interrupted his breakthrough.

Those displays established Brown as a genuine first-team option, but they were produced across a relatively small sample. Wednesday therefore want to assess the striker once he is fully fit before deciding whether he should remain with the senior squad or leave on loan during the second half of the season.

“Let’s see when he starts to be fit again. I think we all saw him last season for a short period. But now, first he has to be really, really fit again, so he can get a body who can train week after week with higher intensity, so he can get this fitness again what he needs to play.

“Then we’ll see when he comes so far where he is. But he will be here for sure to January, and let’s see how he uses time and how everything is connected. But there is no doubt that last season, in the few games he played, he was strong.”

Brown’s route into professional football was unconventional. He spent several years with the Leeds-based Ultimate Football Coaching Academy before earning a Wednesday contract following a successful trial in 2024.

His rapid progress into the Championship showed why the Owls invested in him, but the focus has now shifted from immediate opportunities to long-term availability. The next few months will be used to restore Brown’s fitness, reintroduce him to senior training and establish whether he can add to Pedersen’s options before the January window opens.