Preview: Owls v Palace

Wednesday will be looking to put two South Yorkshire derby defeats on the spin to bed when Crystal Palace visit Hillsborough on Saturday.

And what better way to get back to winning ways than bagging three points against 'Mr Sheffield United', Neil Warnock and his Palace side in a mid-table clash.

Brian Laws told the Sheffield Star:

'The cheeky sod (Neil Warnock) sent me a text having a go at me when we beat Sheffield United!

'He's still got something against Sheffield Wednesday. I hope he doesn't spoil our mostly good home record. We've already had one disappointment in a home game this week; we don't want another.

'Neil's been in the game so long he knows that some people don't like him, some people do. You either like him or you don't. I like him; I've always got on well with him.

'I don't want to get beaten by him, either. I know, because he's a Sheffield United fan, he'll be extra determined to get a good result for his team, because it's Sheffield Wednesday. We have to almost treat it like a derby.'

Long-term injury absentee Frank Simek made his return to action for the reserves in midweek and he'll be pushing for inclusion in the squad given the latest string of injuries and suspensions.

Lewis Buxton will miss out through suspension, picking up five yellow cards, although Richard Hinds didn't pick up any knocks in his comeback game on Tuesday night and is set to continue in defence.

Mark Beevers is also set to undergo a late fitness test after the centre-back missed out the 1-0 defeat to Barnsley.

Owls boss Brian Laws could also consider the return of Francis Jeffers to the starting eleven, while Wade Small and Steve Watson could also be recalled given the Owls' latest results.

The former Derby County striker has been one of the few bright lights in recent Wednesday showings, and Tudgay will need to be at the top of his game to help Wednesday to victory over Palace.

Former Sheffield United midfielder Paul Ifill is the only major doubt for Palace boss Warnock ahead of his trip back to Sheffield.

Ifill picked up a knock in Palace's 3-1 victory over struggling Plymouth in midweek, and the former Millwall man will undergo a late fitness test ahead of the trip to South Yorkshire.

Former Leicester City centre back Paddy McCarthy is still out for Palace with a shoulder injury, but Warnock will bring a similar squad to S6 to the one that won at Plymouth on Tuesday.

The former Rotherham United man has always caused problems for the Owls defence, and Saturday will be no different.

Head-To-Head:

Wednesday wins: 20

alace wins: 14

raws: 16

Last Time Out:

Palace 1-1 Wednesday

Selhurst Park, 01/11/08

Ben Watson levelled from the spot for Palace as Wednesday put in a determined performance at Selhurst Park, Leon Clarke having given the Owls an early lead before having to settle for a share of the spoils.

Previous Line-Ups:

Wednesday: Grant, Buxton, Wood, Hinds, Spurr, Johnson (Small 70), Potter, O'Connor, Gray (Jeffers 62), Tudgay, Clarke (Boden 80). Subs Not Used: O'Donnell, McAllister.

Palace: Speroni, Clyne, Jose Fonte, Davis, Hill, Oster (Butterfield 80), Derry, Danns, Scannell (Hills 71), Lee (Kuqi 71), Ifill. Subs Not Used: Lawrence, Moses.

v Burnley (A) - 28/02/09

v Reading (H) - 03/03/09

Vital F1 Prediction League - Join now for Spain