Sheffield Wednesday face Blackpool at Hillsborough tonight in front of the SKY TV cameras and manager Gary Megson is likely to rest some of his regular starters with Saturday’s away game at Bournemouth in mind.
Wednesday have quite a small squad and the emphasis this season has to be on gaining promotion but those some of those who do play tonight will be out to make a positive impression as they seek to gain a more regular spot.
The likes of Reda Johnson, Mark Beevers, Mark Reynolds, Daniel Jones, Jon Otsemobor and James O’Connor could all be in line for a start and new loan signing Danny Uchechi could also feature at some stage in attack.
Chris O’ Grady, the Owls new signing from Rochdale, is unlikely to play any part as he has a niggling injury and whilst Giles Coke is well on the road to regaining full fitness he is also unlikely to feature.
As with the Owls, Ian Holloway is expected to give some of his squad players a run out in the cup. Defenders Craig Cathcart and Stephen Crainey both featured for their respective international teams on Wednesday evening and so will not play a part and goalkeeper Matt Gilks is suffering with an ankle injury. Argentine forward Gerado Bruna could make his competitive debut for the Championship club.
While the Carling Cup may not top either sides list of priorities this season both teams will be looking to keep a winning mentality and build on their positive starts to the season. Wednesday opened up with a 2-0 win against Rochdale on Saturday and Blackpool kicked off the season with an impressive 1-0 away win at Hull City last Friday evening.
Despite their current inferior league standing the Owls have had the better of things of their opponents in recent meetings. They last clashed in the 2009/10 season when Wednesday did the double over the seasiders despite ending the season in the bottom three with Blackpool winning the play-offs. A 2-1 win for the Owls at Bloomfield Road was followed up with a 2-0 win at Hillsborough.