Wednesday Vs Stoke: Team news

Last updated : 28 March 2008 By C. Morris

New signing Bartosz Slusarski is expected to go straight into the squad but is likely to have to settle for a place on the bench. Ben Sahar and Deon Burton linked up well in the 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace last Saturday and the pair are expected to start upfront together again after returning from midweek international duty with no ill-effects.

Jermaine Johnson is also ready to return having completed a four match suspension. The winger looked lively when playing for the reserves in midweek and boss Brian Laws is likely to choose between JJ and Franck Songo'o in the wide-right position.

Steve Watson is also expected to take a place on the bench but Marcus Tudgay, Frank Simek, Lee Bullen, Francis Jeffers and Akpo Sodje remain sidelined.

Stoke could hand a debut to on-loan Newcastle striker Shola Ameobi but fellow loan-deadline day signing Stephen Pearson is doubtful due to a niggling hernia problem.

Talisman forward Ricardo Fuller misses the fixture through suspension as does key defender Ryan Shawcross but influential midfielder Liam Lawrence returns after completing his ban.

Despite their position at the top of the Championship table Stoke have not been in great from of late, collecting just 6 points from their last 6 outings with the Owls picking up 9 points over the same period.

Wednesday will be looking to do the double of their promotion chasing opponents, having beaten the Potters 4-2 away earlier in the season.