Preview: Wolves Vs SWFC

The Owls created history when Kevin Pressman receieved the fastest ever sending off in a match that finished 1-1 at Molineux after relegation from the Premiership. Wednesday won't want to top that record this time around, but they would certainly be happy with the same scoreline against a Wolves side in the hunt for a play-off spot...

To follow...

Wolves boss Glenn Hoddle will be boosted with the news that former Celtic defender Jackie McNamara completed over an hour for Wolves reserves in their midweek match against Sunderland. McNamara has been sidelined for six months and may be included in the squad to face the Owls.

Hoddle has a nice selection problem in attack, with former Newcastle striker Carl Cort waiting to break into the first team. Cort has been on the bench for the last two games thanks to the fine form of Kenny Miller, Jeremie Aliadiere and Tomasz Frankowski.

Wanderers have extended the loan deal of Aliadiere until May 22 to allow the Arsenal youngster to compete in the play-offs should the midlands club make the top six. Aliadiere has been a key part in Wolves recent success and will want to continue his fine form against the Owls this weekend.

Glenn Hoddle has no fresh injury worries for this weekend's clash, and is likely to stick with a similar squad to the one that drew with Championship leaders Reading last weekend.

Miller is undoubtedly one of the best players in the Championship and he will be a big loss to Wolves when he leaves for Celtic in the summer. The former Rangers hitman has hit 62 goals in 188 appearances for the Midlands club and will want to carry on that tally to leave Wanderers with a bang by helping them to promotion.

For the first time in a while Owls boss Paul Sturrock has no fresh injury worries going in to the clash with the Championship high-flyers.

The only minor doubt is over Mikkel Bischoff who pikced up a knock in last weekend's 2-0 win over Preston. Bischoff spent two loan spells with Wanderers last season and will be desperate to put a dint in his former club's promotion hopes.

He told the Birmingham Mail: 'I know Wolves are gunning for the play-offs - and after Saturday I really hope they get there - but for one day only I hope we put a dent in their promotion hopes. We need the points ourselves to try and get away from trouble at the other end of the table.'

Paul Sturrock has been boosted by the news that long-term absentees Steve Adams and Jon-Paul McGovern got through a behind-closed-doors friendly in midweek. Adams may be included in the 16 to travel to the Midlands, but McGovern is unlikely to be risked.

Striker Steve Maclean and left-back John Hills are both a step closer to returning to the first team, but noth are likely to remain on the bench after the impressive performance which saw the Owls beat Preston 2-0 last weekend.

The former Derby man has been hitting fine form of late by bagging two vital goals in the last two games for the Owls. Burton moved to the Owls in January from neighbours Rotherham United but failed to make an instant impact with the Hillsborough faithful. He seems to have pulled his socks up recently though, and has bagged two man of the match performances in his last two goals. The Owls will rely on his goals to avoid a swift return to League One.

Current Form:

Wolves: W-D-D-W-D

SWFC: L-L-L-D-W


Total Meetings:

Total Matches: 101
SWFC Wins: 34
Draws: 29
Wolves Wins: 38


Last Meeting:

28th December 2005

Wednesday 0-2 Wolves

Wednesday's christmas woe continued as Wolves were comfortable winners thanks to goals from Darren Anderton and Kenny Miller. The defeat prompted some urgency in to the Owls, who went on to beat high-flying Burnley later that week.


Played For Both:

Maurice Ross
Adam Proudlock
Carl Robinson
Andy Sinton
Guy Whittingham
Peter Shirtliff
Eric Nixon
Ryan Green

Previous Line-Ups:

Wolves: Postma, Edwards (Ross 45), Naylor, Lescott, Gyepes, Davies, Ince, Ricketts, Miller (Cort 84), Aliadiere, Frankowski. Subs Not Used: Oakes, Seol, Jones.

SWFC: Carson, Coughlan, Bischoff, Gilbert, Simek, Brunt, Whelan, Folly, O'Brien, Burton, Tudgay.
Subs Not Used: Adamson, Bullen, MacLean, Best, Hills.

Vs Burnley (H) - 01/04/06

Vs Crewe Alex (A) - 08/04/06

Vs Norwich City (H) - 15/04/06

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