Preview: Owls v Boro

It's stage two in Wednesday's tough three game spell in a week as Gareth Southgate brings his Middlesbrough stars to Hillsborough on Tuesday night.

The Owls picked up a point against Forest on Saturday and boss Brian Laws will be keen to pick up victory against Boro before taking his side to Sheffield United on Friday night.

But it'll be no easy feat, with Southgate's men making a good start to the season, and wanting to break into the Championship's top two.

Wednesday have a doubt over Richard Wood, who limped out of Saturday's 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest with a groin injury, and could be replaced by Mark Beevers at the heart of the Owls defence.

Marcus Tudgay was also taken off with a neck injury against Forest, but boss Brian Laws has revealed the Owls' star striker is all set to continue in the Wednesday attack tonight.

James O'Connor is set to remain on the sidelines through injury, but he should return for Friday's big Steel City derby clash, while Francis Jeffers sits out the third match of his suspension.

Akpo Soddje is set to remain on the bench once again, with striker Leon Clarke also set to miss out through injury.

It'll be a baptism of fire for Beevers should he get the nod in place of Richard Wood at the back, and he'll have to play well to keep Boro out and keep Wednesday's unbeaten home record for the season in tact. A tough night awaits the youngster...

Former Owl Tony McMahon is set to get the nod to feature against his former loan club should he pass a late fitness test, and will be keen to show the home support that he's still 'got it' with the Boro side.

It'll be too early for Emanuel Pogatetz and Dider Digard to return to the Boro squad - they'll botyh feature in reserve team action in a bid to get back to first team football.

Defender Andrew Taylor will also miss out through an injury picked up in Boro's 3-1 win against Ipswich Town at the weekend, but other than that, Southgate should have no fresh injury concerns.

The tricky winger has been in superb form for Middlesbrough this season, and he could be key to their success at Hillsborough, testing right-back Lewis Buxton to the limit. He'll have to be at the top of his game to stop the winger.

Head-to-Head:

Wednesday wins: 42

iddlesbrough wins: 37

raws: 16

Last Time Out:

Middlesbrough 1-0 Wednesday

The Riverside, 25/03/2000

It's almost ten years since Wednesday last met Middlesbrough, with the last outing in 2000 seeing Andy Campbell's 11th minute strike giving Boro the spoils.

v Sheffield United (A) - 18/09/09

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