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Liam Palmer’s Sheffield Wednesday contract is due to run out at the end of the season, and just a few months ago not many Owls fans would have lost too much sleep if the 27-year-old left Hillsborough for nothing later this year given his below-par displays for a team treading water in the Championship.

However, their opinions may have changed in recent months – and in especially in recent weeks when he has shone out of position at left-back for the late play-off challengers – since Steve Bruce was appointed as manager.

The man who received a Scotland call-up last week has been completely transformed since the former Aston Villa boss was appointed as Jos Luhukay’s successor earlier in 2019, and has shown how powerful a mutual respect between player and manager can be.

The former Manchester United defender clearly believes in Palmer by trusting him in the left-back position, and the Worksop-born full-back hasn’t let either him or the Yorkshire outfit down.

His latest task at the weekend was to stop Blackburn Rovers star Bradley Dack – an extremely talented player at this level – and he did an admirable job.

While right-back Dominic Iorfa will get all of the plaudits after scoring and providing an assist, Palmer was just as important on the opposite flank – mainly from a defensive point of view.

The 27-year-old made three tackles, two interceptions and four clearances against Tony Mowbray’s men, while he also showed his strength in the air by winning three aerial duels.

He also attempted 14 long balls and was successful with seven of those, a tally higher than all of his outfield teammates put together managed.

The defender may not be the most talented player on the pitch, but he is willing to fight for the club and if he continues to put in displays like this one and the ones from previous weeks, it will be a no-brainer to extend his stay at Hillsborough in the summer.