Wednesday Vs Birmingham: Team news

Last updated : 30 January 2009 By C. Morris

Sheffield Wednesday entertain promotion chasing Birmingham City in front of the Sky TV cameras at Hillsborough on Saturday teatime as they look to bounce back from the midweek defeat at Nottingham Forest.

The Owls will be forced to make at least one change to the team that started at the city ground as striker Francis Jeffers begins a three-match ban following his dismissal in the 2-1 loss.

With Akpo Sodje yet to return to fitness that leaves little options up-front and so Leon Clarke is likely to make his first start since mid-December alongside Marcus Tudgay. When the Owls let Deon Burton leaver for Charlton many expected the club to replace him with at least a loan signing in attack but Bartosz Slusarski decided against a prolonged stay at S6 and Wednesday have since moved to strengthen the team in other areas.

Youngsters Nathan Modest and Luke Boden have had run-outs in the first team but both are raw and inexperienced at this level. Jermaine Johnson could revert to a forward role if Brian Laws chooses to switch things around during the game with winger Wade Small likely to be an option from the bench.

Birmingham have recently acquired Honduras striker Carlos Costly on loan for the remainder of the season but he will not feature at Hillsborough. The Blues will also be

without Scottish internationals James McFadden and Garry O'Connor through injury.

Full-back Stephen Kelly is not yet fit enough to return but defender Stuart Parnaby could return after missing the midweek win over Derby with a head injury.

The Owls will not be too disappointed to find that O'Connor is on the sidelines as he scored twice in a 3-1 win over Wednesday at St. Andrews earlier in the season. In fact, the Owls have a poor recent record against the Blues having on each of their past five encounters.

Both teams have been in indifferent form of late but Wednesday will be looking to enhance a home record which is amongst the best in the Championship whilst Birmingham boast the second biggest points haul in the division on their travels.