Irish duo on Argyle trip - exclusive

Wednesday are still awaiting their first win and their first goal from open play this season following draws against Burnley and Preston and a home defeat to Luton.

But midfielder Whelan is keeping positive despite Wednesday's crippling injury situation and thinks that achieving maximum points is a good possibility.

He told Footymad: “We are up for it, it's not like we are down at the moment. It's a long trip down there to Plymouth but I'm glad it's now and not later on in the season but we are going down there to come back with the three points. I don't know much about them at the moment, I don't think you can know that much about anyone yet at this stage of the season.”

Meanwhile it will be a bit of a homecoming for Owls skipper Coughlan, who played just shy of 200 games for the Pilgrims and scored 25 goals after he moved north last summer following a trophy-laden four seasons at Home Park.

“I love going back to Plymouth,” he admitted. “The crowd down there are very passionate, they're brilliant. I do believe that in this league, Plymouth have a head start over the rest because of the distance; not many teams enjoy going down there because it's so far away.

“But I really had four great years down there and I have a lot in common with the supporters because we get on well together because we struck up a bond over the years – I did well for them and they did well for me so it was a great relationship.

“We had a lot of success, we won leagues and got them into the championship although it was a little disappointing the way it ended but that was obviously beyond me but I'm up here now, I'm concentrating on Sheffield Wednesday but I must admit I do keep an eye out on Plymouth's results and when the opportunity arises I do go back down and watch them.”

As far as team news goes, Wade Small is set to make his first start for the club in attack to deputise for Steve MacLean – the former MK Dons star should operate up front with Chris Brunt.