Sheffield Wednesday head to the capital on Saturday to kick-off their Easter weekend double header against Neil Warnock’s QPR side.
Alan Irvine will be boosted by the availability of both Jermaine Johnson and Lewis Buxton for the clash as the pair return from injury. Utility defender Buxton is likely to take up a place on the bench as cover for an Owls defence that has shown a marked improvement in the last five games.
Johnson, who has been a key performer in the few games he has played since Irvine’s arrival, could be thrust straight back into the starting line-up following the news that fellow midfielder Tommy Miller will miss most if not all of the remainder of the season through injury.
Should Wednesday look to give JJ a more gradual return to the side then they are likely to start with the same side that began the 1-1 draw at Coventry City last weekend with Luke Varney, Marcus Tudgay and Leon Clarke all featuring.
QPR’s main concern is over the fitness of top scorer Jay Simpson. The 13-goal on-loan Arsenal striker has a hamstring problem and will undergo a late test prior to the game.
Defender Matt Connolly missed last weekend’s draw at Preston with an ankle injury and could be forced to sit this one out but on-loan Portsmouth defender Dusko Tosic could make his debut for the hoops.
Influential midfielder Martins Rowlands remains a long-term absentee as does holding player Gavin Mahon.
Wednesday go to Loftus Road in search of only their 4th away win of the season though they have managed to pick up a point in each of their last 3 away games.
The Owls are unbeaten in their last 5 games though 4 of these have ended level and they need to turn draws into wins if they are to ensure Championship safety.
The home side have suffered just one defeat under ex-Blades boss Neil Warnock but like Wednesday they are struggling to pick up wins of late with 4 draws in their last 5. Rangers home form has been patchy over the season with 4 defeats and 8 draws coming from their 19 league matches at Loftus Road to date this season.
Wednesday were beaten 2-1 by the Londoners at Hillsborough in November and the Owls have failed to win on their last five visits to QPR dating back to 2000, they were 2-0 up there last season before crumbling to a 3-2 defeat. Whilst defeat would plunge Wednesday deeper into trouble towards the foot of the Championship a win would see them level on points with their opponents and further open up the relegation battle.