Wednesday Vs Fulham: Team News

Last updated : 03 January 2009 By C. Morris

Sheffield Wednesday welcome Premier League side Fulham to Hillsborough on Saturday.

The Owls received a boost earlier in the week with the news that on-loan Stoke City defender Lewis Buxton has been granted permission to play for the Owls in the competition. The versatile defender has proved a real asset to the club after a shaky start and is likely to continue at right-back in the absence of Frankie Simek.

Wednesday could also have winger Jermaine Johnson and striker Leon Clarke back in contention following spells on the sidelines. Their returns could be timely ones due to the loss of Bartosz Slusarski. The striker has returned to West Brom as the Owls try to thrash out a new deal for him following the end of his recent loan spell. Despite their return to fitness Brian Laws may choose not to risk them in the cup and so youngsters Boden, Lekaj and Modest may retain their places in the squad.

Fulham are expected to bring a strong line-up to Hillsborough but are also likely to include some fringe players in their squad.

Key midfielder Jimmy Bullard missed the draw at home to Chelsea last Sunday and it would be a boost to the Owls if he was to be unavailable for this tie. Dickson Etuhu is expected to deputise again should Bullard not make it and the Cottagers will definitely be without injured trio Diomansy Kamara, Zoltan Gera and Andranik Teymourian.

Wednesday have not been in great form of late and are without a win in their last four games.

The visitors have faired much better recently, having not lost in their last nine outings and they have taken points off Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal this season.

The Owls have been knocked out of the F.A. Cup by Premier League opposition at this stage in each of the past three seasons and have not gone beyond the third round since 2001.