Preview: Foxes v Owls

Wednesday return to a recently happy hunting ground for under-fire boss Brian Laws as the Owls look to end a run of eight games without a victory and climb away from the relegation spots.

Wednesday bagged a vital 3-1 win to all-but seal their Championship status last season - and all-but send Leicester down - and a superb 4-1 win came before that at the Walkers.

Leicester are having a mini crisis of their own though, and will be looking to get back on form with three points after falling to two heavy defeats in the last week.

Something has to give, and the addition of former Owls defender Nigel Pearson into the mix as Leicester boss, adds that bit of extra spice.

Laws, talking about the Owls 3-1 win at the Walkers last time out, told the official SWFC website:

'Winning that game was one of the pivotal moments of the season because that win kept us in the division.

'Both teams were fighting down there and whoever won the game would be the survivors. That was an incredible occasion, it was a full house and everybody knew the consequences and what was at stake.

'It's not quite the same at the moment but there are certain elements there, certainly for us because we desperately need a win and a result to get us kick-started again.'

Leicester boss Nigel Pearson told the official LCFC website:

'Just because we've have a difficult few days, I'm certainly not going to be downbeat or looking at what has gone wrong, because I still believe that players are very competitive in this league'

'I still think we're having a very good season. We have to reflect on these incidents honestly, but then you've got to move on because there is no time to feel sorry for yourself. It's about getting back to what we're good at.'

Leicester will be without loan star Martin Waghorn after the on-loan Sunderland striker was sent off for a rash challenge against Bristol City in midweek.

The sending off could see Matty Fryatt return to the starting eleven after he had to make do with a place on the bench in midweek.

Nobody's place in Pearson's side is safe following two defensive horror-shows, although the former Owls man is unlikely to make wholesale changes to a squad that's performed above expectations so far this season.

Stephen Clemence isn't fully fit to return to first team action after a long period out injury, with the former Spurs man only just returning to training, while Bulgarian defender Aleksander Tunchev is also out through injury.

The former Walsall striker has a habit of being hit and miss, and he'll be keen to impress Nigel Pearson should he got the nod in attack after starting the last game on the bench. Fryatt is Leicester's top scorer so far this season and he'll be looking to fire the Foxes to three points.

Wednesday boss Brian Laws has no fresh injury or suspension concerns going to the Walkers Stadium.

That could mean he sticks with the same starting line-up that Laws was relatively pleased with in the slender 1-0 defeat at Doncaster Rovers in midweek.

Luke Varney, Tom Soares, Warren Feeney and Richard Hinds will all be pushing for a starting place after having to make do with a spot on the bench recently.

Sean McAllister is likely to keep his place in midfield though, after impressing in midfield in midweek.

Only Tommy Miller and Francis Jeffers are out injured and will miss the game.

The Foxes have been poor against pace in recent weeks, and in JJ, Wednesday have a man who could cause the currently frail Foxes defence problems. Probably playing in a three-pronged attack, Johnson's contribution will be key to any Owls' success.

Head-To-Head:

Leicester wins: 37

Wednesday wins: 39

Draws: 28

Last Time Out:

Leicester 1-3 Wednesday

The Walkers Stadium, 26/04/08

It was a must win clash for both sides, but Wednesday ran out winners thanks to a superb fight-back against the Foxes at a packed Walkers.

Iain Hume gave the hosts the early lead before Bartosz Slusarski levelled for Wednesday going into the break.

Both sides saw penalty kicks saved, with Hume missing for Leicester and Deon Burton doing the same for the visitors, but Wednesday upped their gear on the resumption and led through Steve Watson, before sub Leon Clarke sealed the crucial victory.

v Swansea City (H) - 19/12/09

v Newcastle United (H) - 26/12/09

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