Owls face tough task in bid to end winless run

Last updated : 21 February 2015 By C. Morris

Sheffield Wednesday have what seems like on uphill struggle on Saturday as they bid to get back to winning ways in the Championship. Stuart Gray's side travel to promotion chasing Debry as they go in search of their first win in 7 matches.

The Owls have received mixed news on the injury front this week. Captain Glenn Loovens faces around 2 months out with an ankle problem but striker Will Keane could feature against the Rams despite leaving Hillsborough with a knee brace on having limped out of the 0-0 draw with Brighton at half-time. Influential defensive midfielder Jose Semedo faces a late fitness test having been forced off with an injury last Saturday.

Kamil Zayatte is likely to continue to deputise for Loovens and their could be a return for Chris Maguire in midfield as he has completed a 2-match ban.

Derby are expected to be without top scorer Chris Martin and wide attacking player Johnny Russel as they are unlikely to have fully recovered from their respective injuries. However, in Darren Bent and Tom Ince they have two players in fine form who can fill these attacking roles well.

The Rams recently suffered a surprise defeat on home soil to Reading in the F.A. Cup but they haven't lost in the last 6 league matches and are just 1 point behind top spot in the league table.

Wednesday continue to defend well but their problems in finding the net have shown no sign of coming to an end. In their current winless streak they have managed to score just 3 times in 6 matches and they are the lowest scorers in the Championship by a distance.

The Owls have not won any of their last 6 visits to Derby and were well beaten on their visit to the Rams last season, losing 3-0 in what proved to be Dave Jones' last game as Wednesday manager. The two teams played out an entertaining 0-0 draw when they met at Hillsborough back in the first month of the season.