Dawson unlikely to sign for Exeter
SHEFFIELD Wednesday boss Darren Moore has confirmed that goalkeeper Cameron Dawson will return to Hillsborough for preseason training, virtually ending any hopes Exeter City may have had of signing their loan star, writes Stuart James.
The 26-year-old has enjoyed an outstanding campaign with the Grecians, playing a key part in their promotion to League One by keeping an impressive 18 clean sheets in his 44 league games so far.
City fans have taken Dawson, under contract with Wednesday until 2024, to their hearts and have made their feelings clear with chants of ‘Cameron Dawson, we want you to stay’ before, during and after their recent games.
But it seems increasingly unlikely that the Sheffield-born shot-stopper – a lifelong Owls fan – will return to South Yorkshire and form part of the Steel City club’s first team squad for the 2022/23 campaign.
It remains unclear who will be the Owls’ number one come next year as Bailey Peacock-Farrell is due to return to his parent club Burnley following their play-off campaign. Joe Wildsmith, who has provided back up to PeacockFarrell, is among a number of players out of contract this summer.
When quizzed on Dawson’s future, Moore said: “We will have him back with us. Congratulations to Exeter (for promotion) and really, really well done to them as a football club.
“There is unfinished business there because they want to go for the title but he will be returning back with us come pre-season.”
Moore said he called Dawson “straight after” the Grecians secured promotion with a 2-1 win against Barrow last Tuesday at St James Park. “I said to him ‘huge congratulations’ and it is a massive tick for Cam coming off a long term injury,” said Moore.
“He has played over 40 odd matches, which is what we wanted, and he has been part of a successful team down there. His performances have been absolutely exceptional down there. We have kept a close eye on him and it is great to see him do so well.
“I really look forward to seeing him when he reports back for preseason. He has been in great form and his confidence will be really high. From a club perspective with the loan, it has worked well for both parties.”
Meanwhile, supporters are reminded that there are no tickets remaining for Saturday’s last match of the season at home to Port Vale.
The Grecians will be crowned League Two champions if they can better Forest Green Rovers’ result at Mansfield Town but all tickets for the game have long since been sold.