Gray leads the way as Owls take on Forest

Last updated : 06 December 2013 By C. Morris

Sheffield Wednesday face Nottingham Forest at Hillsborough on Saturday with Stuart Gray continuing to manager the team as chairman Milan Mandaric narrows his search for a new permanent boss.

Mandaric has ruled Neil Warnock out of the running but Stuart Gray is in contention and so will be keen to impress again.

The Owls will be without Giles Coke as the midfielder has picked up a groin strain. Wednesday won't be expected to make too many other changes following Tuesday's victory against table topping Leicester but full-backs Lewis Buxton and Reda Johnson are back in training and in contention to make the squad, as is winger Michail Antonio.

Forest are expected to travel without defender Danny Collins and midfielder David Vaughan. The pair are making good progress as they recover from injuries but are unlikely to be ready for competitive action this weekend.

Chris Cohen is a more long-term absentee but former Sheffield United striker could be available after missing the midweek draw against another of his former clubs, Millwall.

After 3 defeats in succession the Owls come into the game buoyed by the 2-1 midweek home win against league leaders Leicester. Wednesday will be hoping to keep their first clean sheet of the season as the attempt to climb out of the bottom 3 in the Championship.

A dip in form has seen Forest win only one of their last seven but they have also been difficult to beat recently having lost only one of their last 4. They have won 3 and lost 2 of their 9 away games this season and are currently in 8th place, 3 points off the play-off places.

Last season saw Forest do the double over the Owls thanks to a narrow 1-0 victory at the City Ground and another 1-0 win at Hillsborough in March though on that occasion the visitors were good value for the 3 points.