Stoke Vs Wednesday: Team news & preview
Sheffield Wednesday travel to Stoke City on Saturday as they look to extend their unbeaten run as Championship football gets back underway following the international break.
The Owls have mixed news on the injury front. In-form frontman Steven Fletcher is very doubtful due to a groin injury that forced him off last time out against Blackburn. There may however be better news in terms of other attacking options as Fernando Forestieri and Lucas Joao are closing in on a return and could make the squad, as could Gary Hooper. The former Celtic striker has been out for over a year but played in a specially arranged friendly last week. Midfielder Sam Hutchinson could also feature despite picking up an injury against Blackburn.
Stoke will be without attacking midfielder Sam Clucas as the former Hull player serves the final game of a 3-match ban. Defender Tom Edwards picked up an injury while on international duty with the England under 20 team last week and is a doubt for the clash. Former Wednesday loan striker Benik Afobe will be in contention to feature.
Steve Bruce's Owls are unbeaten in 11 matches and have only lost once since mid-December while Stoke are also on a good unbeaten run, stretching back 7 matches, though 6 of those games have ended in draws.
The two sides drew 2-2 at Hillsborough back in September with the Owls recovering from a poor start to earn a point. Wednesday were beaten 2-0 on the last visit to Stoke, in the League Cup quarter final in 2015.