Preview: Owls v Chesterfield

It's a bit of a local derby in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy as Wednesday welcome League Two neighbours Chesterfield to Hillsborough in the second round.

The competition isn't high up on the Owls' priority list this season but Wednesday night's clash with the Spireites bares more importance to help carry the momentum from Saturday's 2-0 victory over Notts County following a slump in form of late.

John Sheridan returns to S6 with his side flying high in second in League Two and on the back of a sensational game which saw them come from 5-3 down to draw 5-5 against Crewe at the weekend.

Chesterfield boss John Sheridan told the official Chesterfield website:

'We are expecting a very tough game they had a good result against Notts County at the weekend. But we have nothing to lose and for the fans we will be going there to try our damndest to win the game.

'We should have a strong squad to choose from Mark Allott and Drew trained today but we will see how he goes and if they are fit and available they will be in the squad.'

Wednesday have no fresh injury concerns going into the match and could be boosted with the return of winger Jermaine Johnson following an injury lay-off which has yet to see him feature this season.

The Jamaican has returned to full training and could be part of Alan Irvine's squad to take on the Spireites, even if it means a spot on the bench for the jet-heeled winger.

Irvine has made changes for cup competitions so far this season as he looks to focus on league form, but he could use this game to continue the momentum from the 2-0 win against County at the weekend.

The striker finally scored his first league goal from open play at Meadow Lane on Saturday and he'll be hoping the goals start to come along like London buses as he aims to steer the Owls through to the next round of the competition and a step closer to Wembley.

The Spireites will be full of confidence coming into the match following their top-drawer start to the season.

Boss John Sheridan has made his mark on the club, who sit second in the league table, and he'll be looking to get one over on his former club .

Chesterfield were involved in a sensational 5-5 draw with Crewe at home on Saturday, netting two late goals to rescue a share of the spoils in dramatic fashion - something which is sure to give the Spireites a boost ahead of the trip to S6.

Another former Owl in Drew Talbot is now plying his trade at Chesterfield but he was dropped to the bench in favour of Jack Lester at the weekend, and Lester is likely to keep his place.

The former Nottingham Forest man will be eagerly anticipating a trip to Hillsborough and he'll undoubtedly be looking to use his skill and experience from his days at the City Ground to help the Spireites overcome Wednesday. He netted two goals on Saturday and will arrive at S6 in good form.

Form:

Wednesday: W-D-L-L-L

Chesterfield: D-W-L-W-D

Head-to-Head:

Wednesday wins: 11

Chesterfield wins: 11

raws: 10

Last Time Out:

Chesterfield 1-3 Wednesday

Recreation Ground, 19/02/05

The two teams last met in Wednesday's promotion season from League One back in 2005 as a brace of Steve Maclean strikes and a goal from Lee Peacock ensured the Owls collected all three points. Mark DeBolla pulled a goal back for the hosts on the stroke of full-time.

In The Last Round...

Wednesday reached the second round thanks to a 2-1 victory over Notts County at Hillsborough, James O'Connor netting both goals early in the game while Ben Davies bagged County's consolation strike.

The Spirteites enjoyed a 2-1 win away at Walsall thanks to goals from Jordan Bowery and Dean Morgan.

v Leyton Orient (H) - 09/10/10

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