Sheffield Wednesday host Reading on Friday evening with a place in the last 16 of the F.A. Cup up for grabs. Both teams needed a replay before seeing off League 2 opposition in the previous round and are having similarly disappointing campaigns in the Championship so a good cup run could provide a welcome boost.
Wednesday captain Glenn Loovens is available for selection having completed a 2-match suspension and midfielder Joey Pelupessy could make his Owls debut following his recent move. Barry Bannan and Tom Lees have returned to light training duties but are a couple of weeks away from 1st team involvement and a host of players including Fernando Forestieri, Joost Van Aken, Kieran Lee and Sam Hutchinson remain sidelined.
Reading are without experienced centre-back Paul McShane and fellow defender Omar Richards along with former Chelsea youngster Jon Swift are also likely to miss out.
Wednesday needed a replay to see off Carlisle in the 3rd round and they have not won in their past 4 league games though the last 2 have ended in goalless draws.
The Royals needed 2 games to get past Stevenage in the last round and they have not won in their last 8 matches in the Championship, failing to score in their last 3.
The two teams played out a drab 0-0 draw at Reading in November and Wednesday were beaten 2-0 by Reading when they met at Hillsborough last season in March, also on a Friday evening.