Preview: Owls v Rochdale

Wednesday will be looking to bag their first win of the new football season when they host League Two side Rochdale in the first round of the Carling Cup.

The Owls have lacked success in the League Cup competition ever since their semi-final double header against Blackburn Rovers in 2002.

And boss Brian Laws will no doubt be targaetting a good run in the competition to get some much-needed money in the bank, and to give Wednesday some winning momentum.

But Dale will also be looking to cause an upset at Hillsborough, with their cash problems well documented recently.

Owls boss Brian Laws told www.swfc.co.uk:

'Will I be taking this game seriously? Absolutely. So will the players, who will be giving their all to win the game and I'll be picking a side to do that.

'There will be changes, but they won't be changes to weaken the side because, althought we haven't got a big squad, we have got a very strong squad.'

Owls' new signing Tommy Miller is set to get his first competitive outing in the famous blue and white stripes tonight.

The former Ipswich Town man was on the bench in the 2-2 draw with Barnsley at the weekend and is still picking up his fitness from pre-season.

Sean McAllister, Frank Simek and Mark Beevers are all also set to start for Wednesday after featuring as substitutes at the weekend.

Akpo Sodje and Leon Clarke remain on the S6 treatment table.

Wednesday fans could get their first glimpse of new midfield signing Miller in a competitive match tonight. The former Sunderland and Ipswich man could be a key player in the heart of the Wednesday midfield this term.

Rochdale are set to field the same side that opened their season with a 1-1 draw at Port Vale on Saturday as the League Two side look to cause an upset at Hillsborough.

Former Owls player Rory McArdle won't be part of the squad though, after picking up an injury in pre-season.

Striker Adam Le Fondre looks set to miss out, with the hitman all set for a move to League Two rivals Rotherham United according to reports today.

Thompson bagged Rochdale's goal in their 1-1 draw with Port Vale at the weekend and the midfielder will be hoping he can be a threat to the Wednesday defence tonight.

Head-to-Head:

Wednesday wins: 1
Rochdale wins: 0
Draws: 0

Last Time Out:

Wednesday 1-0 Rochdale

Hillsborough, League Cup, 11/09/02

The last time the two club's met was in the same competition back in 2002 when Wednesday ran out close fought winners. Gerald Sibon bagged the winner in just the second minute to see the Owls through to the next round.

v Peterborough (A) - 16/08/09

v Newcastle United (A) - 19/08/09

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