Wednesday Vs Charlton: Team news

Last updated : 16 January 2009 By C. Morris

Sheffield Wednesday face Championship strugglers Charlton Athletic at Hillsborough on Saturday looking to put an end to a run of six games without a win.

The Owls are set to give a home debut to midfield loan signing Darren Potter and Michael Gray could also make his first Hillsborough appearance in a Wednesday shirt having made his debut at Ipswich last weekend.

Marcus Tudgay could be set for a return from injury so Steve Watson, who is struggling to be fit, could make way along with youngster Luke Boden.

James O'Connor will also be in contention to start the match having served a one-match suspension.

Winger Wade Small and striker Leon Clarke may also make the squad have recently had short spells on the sidelines.

Charlton, who ended an 18-game winless streak with victory over Norwich in the F.A. Cup in midweek, will be without ex-Owls striker Deon Burton due to an agreement reached between the two clubs following his recent transfer to the Addicks.

The Londoners fielded a young side in the cup win and manager Phil Parkinson must now choose whether to stick with the majority of the winning eleven or bring in some more experienced players.

Amongst his options for change are defender Graeme Murty who is on loan from Reading, former Sheffield United midfield man Matthew Spring and Tom Soares who has this week been brought in on loan from Stoke City where he has failed to hold down a regular place since signing in the summer.

Another former Blade, Andy Gray could replace Deon Burton in attack but the visitors will be without China international midfielder Zheng Zhi.

A combination of injury problems and a loss of form have recently seen Owls fan and former keeper Nicky Weaver replaced by Robert Elliot in the Charlton goal. Wednesday fans will be happy to see the away side line up without Weaver between the sticks as he produced a string of top saves to earn his side a point in a 0-0 draw at Hillsborough last season.

Wednesday picked up their first away win of the season against Charlton with a 2-1 victory at the Valley in September. They have struggled somewhat at Hillsborough against the Addicks of late though, having only won once in the last four attempts with 2 defeats in the F.A Cup.
The Owls
 are unbeaten in the past four league games at home but have drawn the last two of these and will be looking to improve their attacking play having not found the net more than once in any of their previous eight fixtures.

Charlton have only won once away in the Championship this season - at Doncaster Rovers back in September.