Preview: Derby v Owls

Wednesday will be looking to bag their second away win of the season when they travel to a Derby side desperate to bounce back from their midweek humiliation at Cardiff City.

Nigel Clough's men went down 6-1 in Wales, and have endured a less than impressive start to their Championship season, although injury problems have contributed some way.

Nevertheless, Brian Laws and his men will be looking to kick on from positive results agaisnt Cardiff and Crystal Palace in the last week with three points from Pride Park.

Brian Laws told the official Wednesday website:

'Make no bones about it, this is an important game that will not be easy. Derby took a real hiding at Cardiff and will be smarting from that. You look at most of the teams that have taken a heavy defeat and it's a fair and honest bet that they bounce back in the next game.

'Look at us last year at Reading, we lost 6-0 and we responded in our next game. So we know what to expect - a backlash. When I heard the score at Cardiff, I thought it was the worst possible one for us. Great for Cardiff but not for us!'

The Rams have been hit with an injury crisis in recent weeks and that's set to get no better in time for Saturday's clash.

James Vaughan could make a return to the starting eleven after only being fit enough to occupy a place on the substitutes bench in the midweek defeat Cardiff.

But Giles Barnes, Miles Addison, Paul Connolly, Chris Porter, Paul Green, Kris Commons, Steven Davies and Stephen Pearson will all be watching the game from the stands.

Robbie Savage could return to action after a shaking of a knock, to no doubt frustrate the Owls midfield.

The former Leeds United and Sheffield United man is always a threat in attack with his power and aerial ability, and that's set to be no different on Saturday, giving Richard Wood and Darren Purse a real tussle at the back.

Luke Varney will be ineligible to play against his 'parent club' on Saturday, as part of the terms of his six-month loan contract with Wednesday from the Rams.

That means former Ram Marcus Tudgay will return to the starting eleven after boss Laws rested him in midweek, with a place on the bench, and he's set to mount the Owls attack with Leon Clarke.

Akpo Sodje will also be pushing for a place though, although he may well have to be content with a spot on the bench again.

The Owls have no fresh injury concerns for the trip to Derbyshire.

The former Ram always seems to enjoy his returns to Pride Park, and he'll be key if Wednesday are to leave with three points this weekend, returning to the starting eleven after being rested in midweek after a slight neck injury caused him problems.

Head-to-Head:

Derby wins: 43

Wednesday wins: 41

Draws: 33

Last Time Out:

Wednesday 0-1 Derby

Hillsborough, 11/04/09

Rob Hulse grabbed the only goal on 45 minutes as Derby left S6 with all the points in a relatively dull game.

v Coventry City (H) - 17/10/09

v Preston NE (H) - 20/10/09

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