Owls face tough test on Friday night

Last updated : 20 January 2017 By C. Morris

Sheffield Wednesday travel to Brighton & Hove Albion on Friday evening as they look to maintain gap ahead of the play-off chasers and close the gap on the top 2 in the Championship.

Wednesday are unlikely to make too many changes to the squad that beat in-form Huddersfield last weekend but the likes of Liam Palmer, Sam Winnall and Callum McManaman will be hoping to push into the starting line-up. Gary Hooper could come into the squad after a lengthy injury lay off.

Brighton are boosted by the timely return of centre-back Lewis Dunk following a 2-match suspension. Midfielder Dale Stephens is also expected to return from illness and defender Sebastien Pocognoli has recovered from a thigh injury. One player set to miss out is left-back Gaetan Bong as he has a knee injury.

The Owls travel in good form having lost only 1 of their last 10 league matches but their away record this season is indifferent with 4 wins and 4 defeats from 13 fixtures to date.

Brighton suffered a rare loss at Preston last weekend, their only defeat in 19 league games and their only home loss so far this season came way back in September.

Wednesday were well beaten in losing 2-1 at home to Brighton in October but they have taken something from their last 3 visits to the Amex Stadium, drawing 1-1 to progress in the 2nd leg of the play-offs last May having drawn 0-0 earlier in the season and they won 1-0 in Brighton on the opening day of the 2014/15 season.