Town Vs Wednesday: team news

Last updated : 09 January 2009 By C. Morris

Sheffield Wednesday travel to East Anglia to face Ipswich Town on Saturday bidding for a return to winning ways following a run of five games without a victory.

The Owls hope to be boosted by the availability of new loan signing Michael Gray who could come straight into the side on the left side of midfield given that Etienne Esajas is injured and Wade small may also be struggling.

Steve Watson could replace James O'Connor in central midfield as the Irishman serves a one-match ban.

Akpo Sodje is not yet ready to return in attack and with Leon Clarke and Marcus Tudgay touch and go in terms of their fitness Francis Jeffers is expected to get the chance to break his scoring duck for the season against one of his former clubs. The upfront injury problems could see youngster Nathan Modest retain his place in the squad following a goal-scoring appearance for the reserves in midweek.

Midfielder Tommy Miller is the main fresh injury doubt for the home side after he limped out in the 1st half of the home F.A. Cup victory over Chesterfield last weekend.

Defender David Wright was also substituted during the Chesterfield game with what is thought to be a reoccurrence of a hamstring problem and he could be replaced by former Owls loan player Alex Bruce.

Former Spain international Ivan Campo is expected to continue in central defence and ex-Owls favourite Alan Quinn is likely to play in midfield for the hosts.

The two sides played out a 0-0 draw in the reverse fixture at Hillsborough in September and prior to that Wednesday had lost 4 of the 6 previous meetings between the two sides including a 4-1 thumping at Portman Road in the opening fixture of last season.

Wednesday will be looking to pick up just their third away win of the season while Ipswich have three wins from their past six games in all competitions but have lost their last two league games on home soil, albeit against top six sides Birmingham and Cardiff.