Clarets Vs Owls: Team news

Last updated : 01 March 2009 By C. Morris

Sheffield Wednesday travel to Turf Moor looking to pick up a six point haul from the hosts having hammered Burnley 4-1 at Hillsborough on the opening day of the season.

The Owls will definitely be without club captain Steve Watson who has been ruled out for the remainder of the campaign after undergoing hip surgery.

Lewis Buxton is available again after serving a suspension but Richard Wood remains a doubt after missing the victory over Crystal Palace.

The return of Buxton and possibly Wood could mean that Brian Laws will make changes to a winning side. Richard Hinds and Frank Simek both played their part in the victory over Palace but they have only recently returned from long-term injuries and doing want to risk overdoing it. With four games in two weeks they are unlikely to start all of these matches if the fitness of the rest of the squad allows them to be rested at some stage.

In attack Laws must choose whether to start with Francis Jeffers or Leon Clarke, with the latter making a positive impression from the substitutes bench last weekend.

Akpo Sodje made a goal scoring return for the reserves in midweek and could be amongst the substitutes. The talismanic striker terrorised the Burnley back line in the opening game of the season before going off injured.

The Clarets have no new injury or suspension problems to hamper their selection. Former Owls loan player Chris Eagles has been suffering from a chest infection of late but should have recovered sufficiently to be able to start if selected.

Sheffield Wednesday have a decent recent record at Turf Moor. They have made six visits in the last decade and have won three, lost one and drawn two including an astonishing 7-2 victory in April 2003.

Current form has seen Wednesday win two but lose three of their last six games and they only have three away victories to date this season.

Burnley are unbeaten in their last six in league and cup and have only lost 3 times at home this season.