Sheffield Wednesday travel to Ipswich Town on Saturday knowing that a win will see them clinch a play-off spot for the second season in succession.
Carlos Carvalhal handed a first start of 2017 to Kieran Lee last weekend as the midfielder made his return from hip surgery and the former Manchester United youngster will hope to keep his place. David Jones missed last Saturday’s match due to illness but could return in place of Lee. Sam Hutchinson has returned to training after being side-lined for around a month but is unlikely to make this match. Fernando Forestieri may not be fit enough to start games as the moment as he works his way back from a knee injury but he is likely to feature from the bench.
Ipswich will hope to welcome back influential midfielder Tom Lawrence. Town’s top scorer, who is on loan from Leicester City, missed last Saturday’s defeat at Rotherham. Mick McCarthy made 9 changes for that game, giving several youngsters a chance but his side for their final home game of the season is more likely to be closer to the team that beat Newcastle in the previous game.
Midfielders Toumani Diagouraga and Jonny Williams remain side-lined as do defenders Steven Taylor and Jonas Knudsen.
Wednesday have only beaten Ipswich once in their last 15 meetings and the Owls have a similarly poor record against any side managed by Mick McCarthy. In recent weeks, the Owls have brought poor runs against sides managed by Neil Warnock and Derby County to an end and they will hope to do the same here to secure the points they need.
Ipswich grabbed a late goal to beat the Owls 2-1 when the two sides last met, at Hillsborough back in November.