Preview: Owls v Ipswich

The Owls will be looking to put their 6-0 hammering at Reading on Tuesday night quickly behind them when Ipswich Town make the trip up to Hillsborough this weekend.

Wednesday put in their poorest performance for some time at the Madejski Stadium in midweek and will be looking to bounce straight back by keeping their unbeaten home record in tact this season against former Owls' Jim Magilton's Tractor Boys.

Wednesday have an impressive record at S6 this season in the Championship, having won two and drawn one of their matches on home soil this term.

And with Ipswich having a similar start to the Owls so far this term, Laws will be looking to bag maximum points against a side that did the double over his men last season.

Brian Laws told the Sheffield Star:

'Ipswich are a good side, they've made real positive changes this year. They're certainly one of the clubs that last year had finances to go out and spend. This year they've gone and done it.

'They've acquired Stead just recently and brought in some good players in the summer and their expectation levels are increasing every week that goes by.

'They had a great home record last year. The away form was a bit wavy. If they get that right then they've got a combination and they can go and do really, really well this year.

'But Ipswich are Ipswich, it's Sheffield Wednesday that we're talking about. It how we turn up that will determine how good they are.'

Ipswich boss Jim Magilton told the Green 'Un:

'It was disappointing not to win at St Mary's, but one of the plus points was how well we ended the match playing at full throttle and looking for the three points.

'Last season we would have settled for a draw, but now we have more options on the bench with our larger squad and we must take the benefit from this to Sheffield Wednesday.

'After tomorrow's match we have three home games, including the Carling Cup match with Wigan, and three points against the Owls will provide a perfect platform to get the best out of our up-and-coming home advantage.

'We should have won all three of our away games this season and had opportunities to do that.

'The anger and frustration from not seeing out the win at Southampton is in the players and hopefully it will come out tomorrow and they will go at the throats of Wednesday.'

Wednesday have no fresh injury or suspension concerns going in to the clash with Jim Magilton's men but Brian Laws could have a triple boost to his squad.

Club captain Steve Watson is set to return following a thigh injury, while Mark Beevers will also have a late fitness test after sitting out the last two matches and Francis Jeffers could also return to face his former club.

Watson is the only one likely to move straight back in to the starting eleven while Beevers is expected to return for the following match, and Jeffers is likely to be fit for the bench at best.

Tony McMahon will feature in his final match of his one month loan spell but he could be set for a further two months at S6 if the Owls and Middlesbrough agree new terms.

Johnson worked tirelessly in the Owls' last home match against Watford at the weekend and the speedy Jamaican could be crucial for the Owls in attack once again.

Wednesday fans are likely to see a host of familiar faces make the trip up to Hillsborough with the Tractor Boys.

Former loanee Alex Bruce will return for Town after sitting out through a three-match ban, while former Owl and Blade Alan Quinn will once again get a hot reception from the Owls faithful when he returns, and Blades loanee Jonathan Stead will also start in attack for Town.

Magilton could be boosted with the return from injury of both Ben Thatcher and former Leicester City defender Gareth McAuley.

The Irishman, who made the switch from Hillsborough to Bramall Lane, will no doubt be fired up on his return to Hillsborough, and a betting man could well put some cash on the midfielder scoring on his return to S6 once again.

Head-To-Head:

Wednesday wins: 16
Ipswich wins: 14
Draws: 5

Last Time Out:

Wednesday 1-2 Ipswich

Hillsborough, 02/02/08

Alan Quinn scored on his return to S6 to give the visitors the lead before Marcus Tudgay put Wednesday on course for a point with his 13th minute leveller. But Town bagged their first win on the road of the season thanks to an Alan Lee winner.

Previous Line-Ups:

Wednesday: Grant, McMahon, Wood, Spurr, Gilbert, Johnson, O'Connor, McAllister (Smith 62), Esajas (Small 55), Burton (Jeffers 69), Tudgay. Subs Not Used: O'Donnell, Clarke.

Ipswich: Richard Wright, Volz, Naylor, Balkestein, David Wright, Walters, Garvan, Miller (Shumulikoski 70), Norris (Counago 74), Quinn, Stead (Lisbie 73). Subs Not Used: Supple, Campo.

v Charlton Athletic (A) - 27/09/08

v Nottingham Forest (H) - 20/09/08

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