Preview: Ipswich v Owls

Wednesday start their new era under the guidance of new chairman Lee Strafford with a tough trip to Ipswich Town on Saturday.

For the first time in many a year, Owls fans making the long trip to Portman Road will take with them a new feel-good factor following the appointment of Strafford as chairman and Nick Parker as the club's chief executive officer.

But boss Brian Laws will have his focus fully on getting three points against te Tractor Boys.

Owls boss Brian Laws told BBC Radio Sheffield:

'We are experiencing big changes at our club. We have a new chairman who's committed to driving us forward and it's refreshing to see.

'Ipswich are a good side and we must be at our best to get a result.'

Former Owls player and Ipswich boss Jim Magilton told the official Town site:

'We need to look to build on our two recent performances and make it a hat-trick of wins with victory against Sheffield Wednesday.

'We can take some confidence from the performances against Derby and Chesterfield and the fact that we kept a clean sheet in both games.

'I've said it many times this season and we've had a few false dawns already, but winning games breeds confidence and that leads to momentum - and that is what we need to achieve over the second half of the season.'

David Wright will be missing for the Tractor Boys after picking up a hamstring injury but Tommy Miller could make a welcome return to the Ipswich midfield after returning to training this week.

Ipswich could also welcome back duo Owen Garvan and Kevin Lisbie following illness and a throat infection respectively but Magilton could well stick with a simlar side that has picked up back-to-back wins.

Former Owls and Sheffield United midfielder Alan Quinn is set to feature for Town.

The former Owls midfielder, who moved to the red and white half of the city, will no doubt be wanting to put in a good performance to get one over on his former club. Get ready for the jeers, Alan!

Wednesday boss Brian Laws is set to throw new signing Michael Gray into the Owls squad after picking up the Wolves man on a short term loan.

Laws needed to bolster his squad, even more so in time for the weekend trip to Ipswich, with midfielder James O'Connor missing through suspension after picking up five bookings.

Steve Watson could make a welcome return to the squad but Marcus Tudgay, Leon Clarke and Wade Small are all expected to be out, giving another chance to the club's young guns.

Wednesday fans making the trip to Portman Road will be keen to see what the experienced former Sunderland man will be able to offer to the Owls squad.

Head-to-Head:

Ipswich wins: 14
Wednesday wins: 16
Draws: 6

Last Time Out:

Wednesday 0-0 Ipswich

Hillsborough, 20/09/08

A dull 0-0 bore draw was fought out after Ipswich made the trip to Hillsborough keen to stop the Owls' impressive early home form for the season, and they did just that.

Previous Line-Ups:

Ipswich: Richard Wright, David Wright (Bruce 69), McAuley, Campo, Thatcher, Norris, Shumulikoski, Miller (Haynes 30), Quinn (Stead 60), Walters, Counago. Subs Not Used: Supple, Balkestein, Rhodes, Wickham.

Wednesday: Grant, Buxton, Beevers, Wood, Spurr, Small (Modest 78), McAllister, O'Connor, Boden, Jeffers, Johnson (Lekaj 89). Subs Not Used: Jameson, Liversidge, Wragg.

v Charlton Athletic (H) - 17/01/08

v Nottingham Forest (A) - 27/01/08

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