Sheffield Wednesday boss Stuart Gray: Loanee Will Keane can emulate Ross Barkley

Sheffield Wednesday boss Stuart Gray has claimed both Manchester United loanee Will Keane and Chelsea's Lewis Baker can follow the footsteps of Ross Barkley and Connor Wickham who, after loan spells at Hillsborough, are excelling in the Premier League.

Earlier in January, Louis van Gaal's United side confirmed the promising striker had joined Sheffield Wednesday on loan for the remainder of the season, while the Blues let Baker to move to Grays' side.

Keane, 22, was considered one of the big things to emerge from Old Trafford's academy after ex-United manager Sir Alex Ferguson handed him his senior debut in December 2011 during a 3-2 defeat to Blackburn.

However, he suffered a cruciate knee ligament injury while playing for the England Under-19s in June 2012, which stopped his development and left him on the sidelines for 16 months.

After spending last season on loan at Wigan and Queens Park Rangers, he made the US tour with Van Gaal's squad but with Radamel Falcao, Robin van Persie, Wayne Rooney and youngster James Wilson competing for places up front, he failed to breakthrough into the first team.

Keane made his debut with Sheffield Wednesday and even though Birmingham held them to a goalless draw, Gray tipped both him and Baker to have bright futures, not just at Hillsborough but also with their home clubs.

"I thought they did well. Their ball retention was very good, with Will providing a good outlet up top. They are talented players and we are a good club where they can develop their game," the manager said to the club's official website.

"You only have to look at the likes of Ross Barkley and Connor Wickham and how they progressed in their time with us, so hopefully Will and Lewis will do the same."

Keane was force to leave the ground after 75 minutes after suffering a cut to the eye but the manager expects him to be ready for the trip to Reading on Saturday 31 January.

Gray said: "Will took a knock just around his eye area and had a couple of stitches but I'm sure he will be fine for the Reading game at the weekend."