Preview: Owls v Oldham

Wednesday will be looking to avoid a fifth League One defeat on the spin tonight when Oldham Athletic visit Hillsborough.

The Owls' 1-0 defeat at home to Southampton at the weekend was their fourth loss on the spin, and prompted protesting from the Hillsborough faithful, both at the board and the team.

Wednesdayites will be hoping for something to cheer tonight against the Latics, but new boss Paul Dickov has made a decent start to his time in charge at Oldham and will be looking for a major scalp tonight.

Wednesday defender Daniel Jones, who has had two loan spells with Oldham, told the Sheffield Star:

'I know a few of their players; they're a very hard-working team, especially with Paul Dickov there. They've got some good individual players and they started like a house on fire.

'But I'm sure if we can get an early goal we'll go on and beat them comfortably.

'With the players we have, this run won't last. I think we look like a team together. There's no badness in there. Now it's a time to stay together and get through this.'

Captain Darren Purse will be fit and available for selection despite being withdrawn early from the 1-0 home loss against Southampton.

Purse left the field at half-time after being hit in the face with the ball but is set to continue at centre-back tonight.

Owls boss Alan Irvine has no fresh injury concerns going into the match although he may ponder more changes following a fourth loss on the spin on Saturday.

Striker Clinton Morrison will again be pushing for a start while midfielder Tommy Miller is set to get his first league start of the season.

Wednesday were collectively poor at the weekend, for the fourth game on the spin, but we've picked Marcus Tudgay out as the man to watch as he looks for his first league goal from open play this season.

Latics boss Paul Dickov will have striker Ryan Brooke available for selection for the trip to South Yorkshire tonight.

Brooke suffered ankle ligament damage in pre-season but has been passed fit to return to action, although he could have to settle for a place on the Oldham substitutes bench as he aims for a return to full fitness.

Midfielder Andy Holdsworth could also return but Warren Feeney, who spent an ill-fated loan spell with the Owls last season, will be sidelined with an ankle injury.

The Oldham-born midfielder has been a key cog in the Latics' fine start to the season, also helping out with two goals along the way, and will be one to watch tonight.

Head-to-Head:

Wednesday wins: 19
Oldham wins: 14
Draws: 14

Last Time Out:

Oldham 1-1 Wednesday

Boundary Park, 09/04/05

Luke Beckett gave Athletic the lead the last time the two sides met before Glenn Whelan rescued a point for the Owls with a strike ten minutes into the second half.

Form:

Wednesday: L-L-L-L-W
Oldham: L-W-L-D-L

v Notts County (A) - 02/10/10

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