Wednesday Vs Argyle: Team news

Last updated : 28 October 2008 By C. Morris

Sheffield Wednesday play Plymouth Argyle at Hillsborough tonight looking to bounce back from a run of two successive away defeats. The visitors come to Sheffield on the back of a defeat themselves but will be buoyed by their recent 4-0 victory over the Owls at Home Park.

Wednesday go into the game with injury doubts over a number of key personnel. Striker Marcus Tudgay could be out for up to a month and with Akpo sodje not yet fully fit Wednesday are likely to start with two from Leon Clarke, Francis Jeffers and Deon Burton. The much maligned Clarke is the only one of these three to find the net so far this season.

In midfield the Owls have missed James O'Connor in the last two games and will be hoping that he is fit to return to the side. Fellow midfielder Jimmy Smith, on loan from Chelsea, misses out through suspension.

Frank Simek was an unused substitute in the defeat at St. Andrews on Saturday and may play for the first time this year. Mark Beevers also faces a late test but if he and Richard Wood prove their fitness then Lewis Buxton could make way. The defender who can play anywhere across the back four has had a shaky start since joining on loan from Stoke.


For the visitors, former Belgian international striker Emile Mpenza is injured as is defender Mat Doumbe.

Former Owls manager Paul Sturrock was unhappy with the application of his team in the home defeat at the weekend and he is likely to make changes as a result.

Ex-Wednesday striker Steve MacLean came off the bench to good effect on Saturday and is in contention for a recall.


Wednesday will be looking to extend an unbeaten home record this season that has seen them concede just two goals in six league games. Despite losing at the weekend, Plymouth have won 5 of their last 8 games including collecting 7 points from their last four away games.

Plymouth have not been beaten in their last four visits to Hillsborough in recent seasons, drawing on three occasions and recording a 3-1 win in 2003.