Owls Vs Rams: Team news

Last updated : 10 April 2009 By C. Morris

Sheffield Wednesday will be looking to follow up their away win at Norwich last weekend with three points against Derby at Hillsborough on Saturday but boss Brian Laws will not be able to field the same side that started at Carrow Road.

Defender Tommy Spurr was dismissed for two late yellow cards last time out and so will serve a suspension. Spurr is likely to be replaced in the team by either Frank Simek or Mark Beevers with Lewis Buxton expected to shift to left-back in a defensive reshuffle.

On loan Derby striker put in an impressive display against Norwich but is ineligible to play against his parent club. That could open the door for Akpo Sodje or Leon Clarke. Both have been on the sidelines with injuries and the former is more likely to feature having played 45 minutes for the reserves in midweek. Another option would be to bring in Etienne Esajas on the wing and have Marcus Tudgay partner Francis Jeffers in attack. Esajas is another player who has struggled with injury but shone in the reserves midweek win over Sheffield United, playing the full 90 minutes and scoring the 2nd goal in the 2-0 win.

Derby are likely to still be without striker Chris Porter who has not yet fully recovered from a hip injury that has seen him sidelined for around a month. Influential midfielder Kris Commons is still working his way back to full fitness but should start after being substituted after around an hour in the midweek drubbing at Cardiff.

Former Sheffield United striker Rob Hulse should lead the line despite not being full fit and Stephen Pearson could feature following a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

Both teams have identical records of 6 points from their last six games and Wednesday will be looking to pick up their first home win in four attempts having collected just one point from the last 3 games at Hillsborough.

Derby have won just 4 away games in the league this season but will be looking to do the double over the Owls having enjoyed a comprehensive 3-0 victory at Pride Park in November.