Preview: Owls v Swansea

The Kop Band have taken the newspaper columns in recent days but boss Brian Laws will be keeping his focus firmly on getting three points against promotion-chasing Swansea on Saturday.

The Swans have been perhaps the shock package of the division this term, sitting on the edge of the top six spots going into the weekend clash.

But their recent dip in form will be of concern to the Welsh club, who'll be wanting to get their promotion push back on track against the Owls, who have little to play for.

Owls midfielder James O'Connor told www.swfc.co.uk:

'They've got a very good record away from home, they're on the fringes of the play-offs and I'm sure they'll be looking to make a final push.

'You expect teams to come up and maybe consolidate but in fairness to them they've come up and done really well. Jason Scotland has scored quite a few goals and when you've got someone like you have every chance.'

Laws has missed out on his first target to bring in a new loan player before Saturday's clash but still hasn't given up hope of bolstering his squad for the visit of the Swans.

Laws has a number of injury concerns to content with, with Leon Clarke, Akpo Sodje and Michael Gray all picking up recent knocks.

The news means Francis Jeffers could well continue in attack after bagging two goals in two games, while Sean McAllister could be used on the wing, allowing James O'Connor to partner Darren Potter in midfield.

The 'fox in the box' will be hoping to continue his recent goalscoring form, which has seen him net twice in the last two outings, against the Swans. Jeffers has yet to make his mark in the blue and white stripes, and will be looking to build on his brace of goals.

Swansea will be looking to put to bed a relatively poor record on the road recently and get their promotion aspirations back on track.

Garry Monk will be returning to S6 for the first time since his loan stint at Wednesday, having secured a place in the centre of the Swans defence.

But the visitors will be without the services of vice-catpain Alan Tate, who misses out through an ankle injury.

Jason Scotland and Leon Britton will both return to bolster the City side.

The frontman was superb for the Swans in their promotion campaign last season and has settled into life in the Championship in the same manner. He'll no doubt pose a huge threat to the Owls defence.

Head-to-Head:

Wednesday wins: 12

wansea wins: 4

raws: 8

Last Time Out:

Swansea 1-1 Wednesday

The Liberty Stadium, 30/08/08

Wednesday rescued a point against a good Swansea side as substitute Steve Watson levelled late on after Ferrie Bodde had given the hosts the first-half advantage.

Previous Line-Ups:

Wednesday: Grant, Buxton, Beevers, Wood, Spurr (Simek 70), McAllister, O'Connor (Hinds 85), Gray (Boden 53), Johnson, Tudgay, Jeffers. Subs Not Used: O'Donnell, McMenamin.

Swansea: De Vries, Williams, Monk, Serran, Rangel, Pratley, Gomez (Dyer 62), Allen (Britton 87), Butler, Pintado (Scotland 69), Bauza. Subs Not Used: Orlandi, Collins.

v Norwich City (A) - 04/01/09

v Derby County (H) - 11/01/09

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