Owls Vs Canaries: Team news

Last updated : 28 November 2008 By C. Morris

Sheffield Wednesday face an inconsistent Norwich City side at Hillsborough on Saturday as they look to bounce back from their second home defeat of the season last weekend.

The Owls will be buoyed by their midweek victory at Blackpool and a win here could see them rise back into the top half of the Championship table.

There will definitely be one change to the side that started the game at Bloomfield Road on Tuesday as striker Deon Burton, who scored his first goal of the season in that game, has joined Charlton Athletic on loan.

New on loan striker Bartosz Slusarski is expected to start his second spell at the club on the bench. That means the strike positions are likely to be filled by two from Marcus Tudgay, Leon Clarke and Francis Jeffers. If Tudgay does move to his more familiar forward role then Etienne Esajas could come into the first eleven after he set up both goals against Blackpool when he came on as a second half substitute. Esajas replaced Jermaine Johnson and his fitness will be assessed prior to the game.

Veteran Steve Watson may be in contention for a start after coming on at half-time for the unwell Sean McAllister on Tuesday.

At the back Tommy Spurr faces a late test having missed the last two matches and Tony McMahon is expected to start at right-back in what will be the final appearance of his loan spell before returning to Middlesbrough.

Norwich have plenty of injury problems coming into the game but are able to welcome back two key first team players following completed suspensions. Defender Gary Doherty should regain his place and Darel Russell is available again in midfield but may have to settle for a place on the bench.

Two full-backs, Elliot Omozusi and Ryan Bertrand, on loan from Fulham and Chelsea respectively are both unlikely to play and former Owls defender Dejan Stefanovic is facing a long spell on the sidelines with a knee injury.

Wednesday will be looking to maintain a fine run of form against the visitors that has seen them record six victories in succession against the Canaries. The last Norwich win at Hillsborough came in December 2001 when the Owls were hammered 5-0.

Norwich have won two away games this season including their last one at Nottingham Forest last weekend. This was however, their only victory in their in their last six games, a run that has included four defeats.