Tough test in store as Owls look for home improvement

Last updated : 24 October 2014 By C. Morris

Sheffield Wednesday entertain promotion hopefuls Norwich at Hillsborough on Saturday as they look to improve on a home record that has seen them win just once at S6 in the Championship this season.

The Owls will be without left-back Joe Mattock as he serves a one-match ban after picking up his 5th booking of the season in the midweek draw at Brentford. Midfielder Sam Hutchinson faces 2 months on the sidelines after sustaining another knee injury last weekend.

Wednesday have failed to score in their last two matches with all three of their senior strikers – Atdhe Nuhiu, Stevie May and Gary Madine having been given a chance so it remains to be seen who Stuart Gray will go with against the Canaries. Attacking midfielder Royston Drenthe will hope to be given a role in some capacity after impressive displays recently as a substitute.

Norwich travel north without the services of influential midfielder Wes Hoolahan as he faces a few weeks out due to an ankle injury. Ryan Bennett is also unavailable due to a similar injury.

Striker Kyle Lafferty picked up his 5th booking of the season in the midweek draw with Leeds and so will miss out due to suspension. Gary Hooper or former Rotherham striker Lewis Grabban will be expected to return to the starting line up in Lafferty's absence.

Wednesday are without a win in six and have lost more games than they have won in the league at home to date this season. The Owls have slipped into the bottom half of the Championship table for the first time this season.

Norwich have only picked up 2 points from their last 4 matches but they have already won 4 times on their travels this season and they currently occupy a place in the top six.

Wednesday will be looking to extend a remarkable run of 8 consecutive wins against Norwich, with the last time they lost to the Canaries being back in 2001 when the Owls were embarrassed 5-0 at Hillsborough.