Beevers Set For Start

Owls youngster Mark Beevers could be set for his first ever start in the famous blue and white shirt against Southampton this week due to a defensive crisis for boss Brian Laws.

Laws could have just one fit and available central defender for the long trip to the south coast this Wednesday in Lee Bullen, and may rely on 17-year-old Beevers to fill in alongside the Scot.

Madjid Bougherra completed his £2.5m move to Charlton Athletic this week, and with Graham Coughlan and Richard Wood facing a race against time to be fit for the St Mary's encounter.

Laws told the official SWFC site: 'He's young, talented and has certainly got a great chance in football. Maybe this is the time to test him out. It's away from home, he won't have 29,000 home supporters there. His adrenalin will be pumping and maybe it's the best option for him.

'I can see he's not over-awed by going into the team. He is mentally and physically strong enough and he has the frame to go with it so that is a major plus.'

Beevers came through the Owls youth set-up and was tipped by former boss Paul Sturrock as a 'future England captain'. He's made just one squad appearance for Wednesday by featuring on the bench for the FA Cup tie with Manchester City at Hillsborough earlier this month.

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