SHEFFIELD Wednesday's apparent pursuit of Town boss Mark Cooper has taken a fresh twist with the Owls considering the County Ground chief for a head coach role at Hillsborough.

The Championship side look set to bring in Portuguese Carlos Carvalhal following their axing of Stuart Gray last week, although it is the nature of the 49 year old's role that could hold the key to the interest in Cooper.

Carvallhal is still firm favourite for the top job at Wednesday and was in Sheffield today to discuss terms.

Cooper was reportedly offered talks over the possibility of joining the club as the Portuguese' number two earlier this week, but had little interest in that role.

However the Adver understands from sources in Yorkshire that the Owls are stalling on the idea of Carvalhal as manager, with both parties seemingly happier to settle on a sporting director job and restructuring their management team to open up a head coach post.

It is that position for which Cooper is now believed to be under consideration.

Cooper, who took over as Town manager two years ago following the departure of Kevin MacDonald, led Town to the League One play-off final at Wembley last season and has been linked with managerial posts at Wednesday's neighbours Sheffield United and other Championships sides in recent months.

Sources in Yorkshire indicated yesterday that the Owls were pondering over whether to make a formal approach for Cooper, who has a year remaining on his contract at Swindon Town.

Carvalhal meanwhile, is believed to have agreed financial terms at Hillsborough.

A former manager at Turkish side Besiktas, he has also managed in Greece and his homeland with mixed success and had a spell as a technical director for Al Ahli in the United Arab Emirates.