Sheffield Wednesday have been given a lift going into this weekend’s clash with the news that Mark Beevers could make a return from injury ahead of schedule. With full-back Jon Otsemobor suspended following his dismissal at Yeovil last weekend Beevers return is timely as he could slot in at centre-back with Lewis Buxton reverting to right-back.
The Owls have been without influential midfielder Giles Coke for two matches but he could also be pushing for a return to the squad. Winger Jermaine Johnson made a huge impact as a substitute in the win at Yeovil and may make his first start of the season.
With no other injury worries Alan Irvine’s other selection poser will come in attack where Mellor, Morrison, Tudgay and Heffernan will all come into consideration. Despite the Owls recent upturn in results none of the strikers have scored in the past 8 league games with Tudgay scoring against Notts County from a wide midfield role.
Bournemouth have a couple of selection worries of their own as they travel north looking to continue their fine start to the season. Striker Michael Symes missed last weekend’s home win over MK Dons due to a shoulder problem and is struggling to recover in time for this clash. One-time Wednesday loan front man Lee Bradbury has featured in around half of the Cherries games so far this season and is likely to be in the squad. Midfielder Harry Arter has only made one start this season but could return having recently undergone minor surgery.
Both teams come into the fixture in five form with Wednesday having won three in a row in the league and Bournemouth taking ten points from a possible fifteen in their last five League One encounters.
The Owls put an end to a run of three home league matches without a win by recording a narrow victory over Leyton Orient a fortnight ago. Bournemouth’s away form has been less impressive than their home record recently as they have picked up just two points in their last four games on their travels.
The two sides last met in the 2004/05 season. They each took a point from a 1-1 draw at Bournemouth but the away sides 1-0 victory at Hillsborough early on in the season signalled the end of Chris Turner’s ill fated reign as Owls boss. The Cherries also won the two fixtures the previous season but prior to that they had only beaten Wednesday once home or away in seven historical meetings between the two clubs.