Preview: Owls v Charlton

A bumper crowd is expected at Hillsborough to see Wednesday take on the Championship basement boys in Charlton Athletic this weekend.

The Owls will take the favourites tag going into the clash after Charlton ended their horrendous winless run with an FA Cup victory at Norwich City in midweek.

But with all the hype over the new chairman and chief executive at S6, coupled with the big attendance inside Hillsborough on Saturday, Owls boss Brian Laws will be keen to avoid a potential banana skin against the Addicks.

New loan duo Michael Gray and Darren Potter will make their Hillsborough debuts.

Gray has already been in action for the Owls in the 1-1 draw at Ipswich Town last weekend but is yet to feature on home soil since his loan move from Wolves.

But his Molineux colleague Potter, who also arrived from the the West Midlands club, only arrived this week and is set to go straight into the starting line-up for the clash with the Addicks.

James O'Connor will be available for selection after serving a one match ban for picking up five bookings, giving Laws the option of O'Connor, Potter and Sean McAllister in the centre of midfield.

Steve Watson is likely to miss out, with the former Everton and Newcastke man already doubtful ahead of the match, while Leon Clarke isn't expected to be back until the clash with Nottingham Forest.

Francis Jeffers could well start against his former club.

Some Owls fans will have already seen Michael Gray in action, but fellow new loan signing Potter will be just as keen to impress the Wednesday faithful on his debut for the club. The midfielder is said to be a 'box to box' player, just what the side has been lacking this season.

Former Owl Deon Burton isn't available for selection for the Addicks as part of the deal which saw the Jamaican international make the trip to The Valley.

But fellow striker and former Sheffield United man Andy Gray will be after opting to stick with Charlton and get regular first team football rather than opt for a move to Premier League Stoke City.

New signing Tom Soares is also expected to be in the Charlton starting eleven after arriving at the club from London rivals Crystal Palace this week, while Graeme Murty and Matthew Spring will also return to the squad after missing out the FA Cup win at Norwich.

Returning to Sheffield will always be a bit special for the former Blade, especially to get one over the Owls, but he'll be extra keen to impress after turning down a move to Stoke City in favour of first team football with the Addicks this season.

Head-to-Head:

Wednesday wins: 17

harlton wins: 15

raw: 10

Last Time Out:

Charlton 1-2 Wednesday

The Valley, 27/09/08

Wade Small netted a superb goal as Wednesday ended their poor away form at the start of the season with victory in a smash and grab raid at Charlton. Luke Varney had given the hosts the lead before Small levelled and Marcus Tudgay added a superb second effort to win the game.

v Nottingham Forest (A) - 27/01/09

v Birmingham City (H) - 31/01/09

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