BURNLEY winger Keith Treacy is understood to be open to making his loan move to Sheffield Wednesday permanent.

The Republic of Ireland international joined the Owls on loan until the end of the season in March, after falling out of form and favour at Turf Moor.

Treacy went on to make seven appearances under Dave Jones. And although he only started twice, a goal and assist against Brentford in their penultimate game helped Wednesday clinch automatic promotion back to the Championship on Saturday.

Ahead of their final game of the season, in which he made his second start as they secured second spot with a 2-0 win at home to Wycombe, Treacy expressed an interest in joining Wednesday full-time.

It is the 23-year-old’s second spell in the Steel City, after being loaned to Sheffield United from first club Blackburn Rovers for four months at the start of the 2009/10 season.

And he admitted he felt settled in the city.

“When I was with United, I loved the city and playing here. The fans are so passionate,” said Treacy.

“I love playing football in Sheffield. The Wednesday fans have really taken to me.”

Treacy is one of four loan players, along with Nile Ranger (Newcastle), Michail Antonio (Reading) and Danny Batth (Wolves) to end the season with Wednesday.

Manager Jones has said any decisions about the futures of the quartet will be in the hands of their parent clubs, and has yet to indicate whether he would want to keep any of them.

Burnley had high hopes for Treacy after spending in the region of £500,000 to sign the winger from Preston North End last summer.

The Dubliner got off to a great start by coming off the bench to score the equaliser in a 2-2 draw at home to Watford on the opening day of the season.

But he rarely lived up to those early expectations and there were concerns over his fluctuating form, leading to the loan agreement with Wednesday in March.

Meanwhile, reports suggesting the Clarets would be interesting in signing Alex Bruce are thought to be wide of the mark.

The 27-year-old centre half is available on a free transfer after coming to the end of his Leeds United contract, but is not expected to be a target for manager Eddie Howe.