Sheffield Wednesday face a tough task to try and put an end to their run of defeats this weekend when they face Championship leaders Cardiff City in Wales on Sunday.
The Owls will be hoping that defenders Antony Gardner and Lewis Buxton can shake off knocks in time for the game. Both were forced off with injuries in midweek as Wednesday’s shaky defence collapsed, resulting in a 4-1 home defeat.
Rhys McCacbe and Jay Bothroyd are both carrying ankle injuries and they will also be assessed ahead of the match. Better news for Dave Jones is that Chris O’Grady, who was an unused substitute on Tuesday, could return from injury to boost what has been an impotent attack of late. Gary Madine and Rodri are further options but the pair were left out of the squad altogether in midweek.
A change from the 4-5-1 formation that was ineffective against Watford is likely. The central midfield 3 of Corry, McCabe and Lines were unable to stifle the Hornets neat passing and they offered very little in an attacking sense, giving next to no support to isolated target man Sidibe.
Cardiff will be without strike duo Nicky Maynard and Tommy Smith as both are injured but the league leaders have plenty of attacking threat from the likes of Craig Bellamy, Heidar Helguson, Peter Whittingham and Craig Noone.
The size of the task that Wednesday face is evident when looking at Cardiff’s home record the season. They have won 9 out of 9 at the Cardiff City Stadium this season, scoring 20 times and conceding just 5 goals in the process. By contrast the Owls have won only 1 of their 9 away matches thus far.
The 2 sides last met in April 2010 when Wednesday were beaten 3-2 as they struggled in vain to avoid relegation. Jay Bothroyd netted twice for Cardiff that day.