Wednesday will be without the services of influential striker Akpo Sodje after tests this week revealed he will be out of action due to a hamstring injury for around six weeks.
Francis Jeffers scored for the reserves in midweek and considering the Owls problems in front of goal- they have not scored twice in a game since September and became the first away team not to score at Pride Park this season last Saturday-the scouser could be in line for a recall.
In midfield Jimmy Smith is in contention after completing a four-match ban and Wade Small may return to the squad but there are still doubts over the fitness of winger Etienne Esajas. Fellow wide-man Jermaine Johnson has had a busy week of travelling on international duty with Jamaica and may again have to settle for a place on the bench. However, on his day JJ can be a real threat and is the most attack minded player in the Owls side and if they are to take a positive approach to coming out of the recent slump in form then he could be included.
At the back, Tommy Spurr, who has been one of the most consistent performers in the team this season, faces a late assessment of his fitness following a dead leg while at right-back Frankie Simek must surely now be in contention. The American has made just one substitute appearance following his long injury lay off but has played a number of times for the reserves and it would be a lift to the side to see the player who is considered to be of the clubs biggest assets return to the fold.
The visitors come to Hillsborough having beaten promotion contenders Birmingham in their last away match and Wednesday will be wary of the law of the ex-player coming back to haunt them.
Striker Leon Best scored twice in five league starts for the Owls during injury hit loan spells in the 2005/06 season and could start in the absence of the injured Leon McKenzie. The Sky Blues do however have other options up front including diminutive Maltese hit man Michael Mifsud, former EIRE international Clinton Morrison and ex-Wolves man Freddy Eastwood.
City goalkeeper Keiren Westwood has put in a string of impressive performances this season and his confidence will have no doubt been lifted further by a recent call-up to the Republic of Ireland international squad.
The two teams shared the points in both encounters last season, an uninspiring 0-0 at the Ricoh arena was followed by a 1-1 draw at Hillsborough with Richard Wood scoring a crucial injury time equaliser.
Prior to that City have struggled somewhat on their visits to S6, losing the previous 4 encounters including a 5-1 mauling in 2003, shortly before the Owls were consigned to relegation.
Wednesday have lost just once in eight home league games this season and have conceded only 3 goals in these matches. City would go above Wednesday in the Championship table with a win. They have 2 wins, 3 draws and 3 defeats from their 8 away games this season including 4 points in 3 visits to South Yorkshire. They won at Oakwell, drew with Sheffield United and lost at Doncaster Rovers. Since they won at Birmingham they have lost twice at home, to Plymouth and Crystal Palace.