Preview: Owls v WBA

Things don't get any easier for Wednesday as Brian Laws looks to pull the Owls out of the Championship bottom three against high-flying West Brom on Tuesday night.

But although the Baggies will be hot favourites going in to the clash, Owls fans can take heart that their charges have been somewhat of a bogey side for the Midlands club in recent seasons, recording two victories last season and snatching a late, late leveller through former man Steve Watson which left a sour taste in the mouth of Tony Mowbray, something which Tuesday night's visitors are sure to want to put right.

Chris Brunt will also be returning to S6, but not in the blue and white of Wednesday as he looks to get one over his former side after leaving for pastures new earlier in the season.

Brian Laws told the Yorkshire Post:

'We have a difficult run-in and we have to make sure we pick up points away from home. It could turn out to be an important one come the end of the season.

'We need to drag teams in towards us. If you get beat by those teams around you in the League, then it can be a bigger gap. So it was important to get something.'

Wednesday will welcome winger Jermaine Johnson back in to the starting eleven after the Jamaican international was suspended for the short trip to Barnsley at the weekend.

Burton O'Brien is the player likely to lose out, although his performance against Barnsley may mean Wade Small is the man to be replaced by Johnson.

Owls boss Brian Laws will have a selection headache in attack with Ben Sahar yet to make a start in the blue and white stripes since making his loan move to S6.

Enoch Showunmi and Marcus Tudgay have both been given the nod in attack in recent weeks but both will be looking over their shoulder with Sahar ready to prove his worth.

Midfielder Adam Bolder will still be available for selection for Laws despite picking up another booking at Oakwell which will rule him out for two games, but his ban will start for the visit of QPR on Saturday.

Tommy Spurr could also return at left-back after Peter Gilbert was taken off injured at the weekend to be replaced by the youngster.

Hinds is likely to have a tough old day at right-back should former Owls Chris Brunt be giving the nod on the left-wing for the Baggies.

Albion will be without Filipe Teixeira who was stretchered of on Saturday with a knee injury in the 3-0 victory over Plymouth Argyle, but Wednesday fans can't quiet breathe a sigh of relief with Zoltan Gera being his possible replacement.

Kevin Phillips and James Morrison both missed Saturdays game but could be recalled to the squad should they pass a late fitness test.

Should the Northern Irish winger be given the nod in the Baggies midfield, he'll be sure to want to show his former fans just what they're missing with a performance which help his new side closer to promotion. What kind of reception he'll get is anyone's guess...

Form Guide:

Wednesday: D-W-D-L-L

WBA: W-L-W-D-L

Head-To-Head:

Wednesday wins: 53
WBA wins: 33
Draws: 26

Last Time Out:

WBA 1-1 Wednesday

The Hawthorns, 06/11/07

Steve Watson returned to his former club to bag a late, late leveller in controversial style to give the Owls a share of the points after Kevin Phillips had given the hosts the advantage.

v QPR (H) - 08/03/08, 15:00

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