Wednesday must improve home form to stave off relegation

Last updated : 06 April 2013 By C. Morris

Sheffield Wednesday face Blackburn Rovers at Hillsborough on Saturday knowing that they can ill afford another home defeat in their fight to avoid the bottom 3 spots in the Championship.

Despite a productive Easter weekend which yielded 4 points from 2 games the Owls are only clear of the relegation zone on goal difference.

Dave Jones shuffled his pack for the bank holiday Monday match at Bristol City which resulted in a draw and further changes are expected on Saturday. Loan recruits Seyi Olofinjana and Stuart Holden were rested at Bristol but both could return to the midfield while strikers Gary Madine and Leroy Lita will hope for recalls having appeared from the bench last time out.

Winger Jermaine Johnson produced an impressive display on Monday and can expect to retain his place in the side. Lewis Buxton is likely to replace Kieran Lee at right-back having served a 1-match ban.

Blackburn have a large squad but will be depleted by a few injuries. Goalkeepers Paul Robinson and Jake Kean are both out so young Polish international Grzegorz Sandomierski will deputise. The Olsson twins – Markus and Martin are both sidelined as is Dickson Etuhu. Defender Bradley Orr has a rib injury and striker DJ Campbell has returned to his parent club QPR for treatment on a foot injury.

Better news for the visitors is that Lee Williamson, Josh King and Nuno Gomes have recovered from illness which caused them to miss Monday's defeat at Cardiff City.

Wednesday have lost just 4 of their last 18 league matches but have tasted defeat 10 times at home this season – the worst record in the Championship.

Blackburn are only ahead of the Owls on goal difference having gone 10 matches without a win.

Blackburn recorded a narrow 1-0 victory over the Owls at Ewood Park in October thanks to an early goal from Grant Hanley. Rovers won 2-1 on their last visit to Hillsborough in the League Cup in 2002 and have not last against Wednesday in any of their last 6 meetings.