Sheffield Wednesday turn their attentions to the F.A. Cup on Sunday when they face Championship promotion favourites West Ham United at Hillsborough.
The Hammers have been in fine form away from Upton Park this season and the match will represent perhaps the sternest test yet of the Owls unbeaten home record. However, the priority for both teams this season is to gain promotion from their respective divisions and so their may be some players rested with upcoming league matches in mind.
Gary Megson will be without influential winger Ben Marshall and Arsenal loanee Sanchez Watt as the pair are unavailable under the current terms of their loan contracts. This may open the door for Jermaine Johnson who made a fleeting appearance as substitute in the recent victory over Tranmere.
Clinton Morrison, Chris O’Grady and Ryan Lowe are all in contention to fill two positions upfront.
Sam Allardyce is expected to rest a number of key players from the side the featured in a 1-0 home win against Coventry City last time out.New Zealand international may get a run out at the back and Sam Baldock may feature in attack, both having recently been sidelined with injuries.
Midfielder Henri Lansbury, on a season-long loan from Arsenal and former Valencia striker John Carew will be hoping to make the first 11.
Wednesday, who have already seen off Morecambe and Aldershot to reach this stage of the competition, are unbeaten so far this season at home and have only lost 1 of their last 11 matches in all competitions.
West Ham’s form has been inconsistent of late with 3 defeats in the past 6 games but they are still level on points with Championship leaders Southampton. The Londoners have won 7 and lost only 3 times in 13 away games to date this season.
The two teams have clashed on 100 previous occasions with West Ham just edging matters winning 40 times and losing 37. The last time the two teams met saw the Hammers win 4-2 at Hillsborough in the League Cup in 2005.