Preview: Owls v Hornets

Football action returns to the Championship after a fortnight off for international duty, and Wednesday will be hoping to take confidence from their 1-1 draw at Swansea in to Saturday's visit of Watford.

The Owls have had a decent start to the new campaign in light of injury problems within the club, off-the-field problems with the takeover, and the latest news that skipper Richard Wood had a transfer request turned down.

It'll be interesting to see the reception Woody will get when the sides come on to the Hillsborough turf tomorrow, although one thing's for sure - the Wakefield-born defender will be giving his usual 100 per cent as he looks to help the Owls maintain their unbeaten home league record thus far this season.

It won't be easy - after Watford started the season in promising fashion despite losing key players over the pre-season and being written off by bookmakers for promotion this term.

Aidy Boothroyd has guided the Vicarage Road club to an impressive start to the season and the Hornets will be looking to continue the upper hand they've held over Wednesday in recent seasons.

Wednesday boss Brian Laws is likely to tinker with his squad following their 1-1 draw at Swansea City last time out in the Championship.

Jermaine Johnson is likely to return to the starting eleven in place of Jimmy Smith, bur the question is where?

Johnson has been touted as a possible striker for the visit of the Hornets with Deon Burton being involved in international action for Jamaica in midweek.

Francis Jeffers could also return to the Owls' squad following his lengthy lay-off, but would only command a place on the bench.

Laws has no fresh injury concerns going in to the match.

JJ could well be the key player for the Owls with his pace, whether it be on the wing or in a striker role.

Watford will be without loan signing Grzegorz Rasiak for the trip to S6, with the Southampton hitman out with a shoulder injury picked up in their clash with Charlton recently.

Former Owl, and Blade, Leigh Bromby will return to the ground where he made his first league start in football, and is sure to get a hot reception from the Wednesday faithful for his move to the red and white side of the city.

Former Rotherham United striker Will Hoskins could also return to South Yorkshire should Boothroyd include him in his sqiad after recovering from a groin injury.

But Mat Sadler is likely to miss out.

The obvious one that Wednesday fans will be keeping a close eye on - and no doubt giving a huge earful to - but as well as his links with the Steel City, Bromby's long throws could cause problems in and around the Wednesday box.

Head-To-Head:

Wednesday wins: 12
Watford wins: 17
Draws: 8

Last Time Out:

Wednesday 0-1 Watford

Hillsborough, 22/12/07

A sole Jobi McAnuff goal after just six minutes was enough to give promotion-chasing Watford all three points just before Christmas in a dull encounter last time the two teams met last season.

Previous Line-Ups:

Wednesday: Grant, McMahon, Wood, Beevers, Spurr, McAllister, Esajas (Watson 69), Smith (Johnson 59), O'Connor, Burton (Clarke 69), Tudgay. Subs Not Used: O'Donnell, Gilbert.

Watford: Poom, Doyley, Bromby, DeMerit, Parkes (O'Toole 46), McAnuff, Williamson (Francis 82), Eustace, Harley, Smith, Priskin (Henderson 81). Subs Not Used: Loach, Mariappa.

v Reading (A) - 16/09/08

v Ipswich Town (H) - 20/09/08

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