Will Winnall make the difference on familiar ground?

Last updated : 31 March 2017 By C. Morris

Sheffield Wednesday make the short trip to local rivals Barnsley looking to avoid being made April fools of in Saturday's early kick-off.

Wednesday will be hoping to welcome back a number of players that have missed recent games through injury.

Playmaker Fernando Forestieri is unlikely to return but Sam Hutchinson and Ross Wallace should come into contention while Tom Lees, Glenn Loovens, Callum McManaman and Marco Matias will all have had the chance to boost their fitness having all returned to the squad in the defeat against Reading last time out.

Striker Gary Hooper could be nearing a return having not played in 2017 but Sam Winnnall will be eager to hold onto his place and put in a performance against his former club. Winnall's move to the Owls in January was met with disgust by many of the Barnsley fans and they are planning a hot reception for their former top scorer should he feature. The 26-year-old has struggled for goals since moving to S6, scoring just only 1 goal for the Owls so far and so Saturday would be an ideal time for him to find some form in front of goal.

Barnsley will be without defender Callum Elder through injury and Gethin Jones faces a race to be fit having suffered from illness during the week.

Both teams go into the derby in poor form with Wednesday having failed to win in their last 3 games and Barnsley having taken just 2 points from their last 6 matches.

Wednesday ran out 2-0 victors when the two teams met at Hillsborough in December. The Owls last trip to Oakwell ended in a 1-1 draw in 2013 and they have only lost 1 of their last 8 matches at the home of their South Yorkshire rivals.