Owls' Derby Defensive Woe

Wednesday face one of their biggest matches of the season at Bramall Lane on Friday night - and they could go into the first Steel City derby clash of the season with trouble at the back.

Owls boss Brian Laws will make the short trip across Sheffield with injury doubts over central defensive duo Richard Wood and Mark Beevers, both picking up injuries in the last week ahead of derby day.

Wood was taken off in the second half of the 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest, and was expected to return for the clash with the Blades, but doubts still linger over his fitness.

It doesn't look good for Beevers either, with the Barnsley-born youngster taken off on a stretcher in the 3-1 defeat against Middlesbrough on Tuesday night.

That leaves just Richard Hinds available to come in as cover, doing so against Boro, with Frank Simek also yet to make a return to full match fitness.

The former Scunthorpe man and Wednesday fan has yet to make a start this season alongside new-boy and captain Darren Purse, but he could well be thrown straight in at the deep end on Friday night.

It doesn't bode well for the trip against Sheffield's second side, with Blackwell and co. keen to gain revenge for the derby double Wednesday picked up last season, and with United in good form before their midweek defeat at Coventry.

No doubt the Owls staff will be doing their best to get the key duo fit and available for Friday night, but Hinds could well be called upon should they not make it on time.

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