Owls defensively depleted as they look for home improvement

Last updated : 10 April 2015 By C. Morris

Sheffield Wednesday host Charlton Athletic on Saturday with Stuart Gray forced to make a number of changes at the back. The Owls were without centre-back Glenn Loovens and right-back Liam Palmer when they faced Norwich on Easter Monday and the defeat at Carrow Road was made worse when left-back Joe Mattock and defensive utility player Claude Dielna both suffered injuries which may well keep them out for the remainder of the season.

Kamil Zayatte has only recently returned from injury and Lewis Buxton is likely to come back into the side. Jeremy Helan has been stuggling with a minor injury but could come in at left-back.

Sergiu Bus will be hoping for a start up front having featued as a substitute in the last two matches and Atdhe Nuhiu will also be hopeful of a recall.

Charlton remain without the services of injured duo Franck Moussa and Callum Harriot but experienced captain Johnnie Jackson is closing in on a return to fitness and could be included in the squad.

Key midfielder Yoni Buyens is likely to return having served a 2-match ban and full-back Chris Solly is also expected to come back in after he completed a 1-match suspension.

The Owls poor home form has seen them win only 4 of 20 league games at Hillsborough this season. Charlton are without a win in 2 games but have won 5 of their last 8 matches.

The two sides drew 1-1 at the Valley in November and when they last met at Hillsborough a year ago Wednesday raced into a 2-0 lead inside 10 minutes only to see the Londoners come back to earn a 3-2 away win.