Preview: Owls v Huddersfield

WEDNESDAY face one of their toughest challenges of the season tonight when they welcome fellow promotion hopefuls Huddersfield Town in a Yorkshire derby at Hillsborough.

Lee Clark's Terriers have promotion ambitions of their own and currently sit second in npower League One going into the derby clash.

Their 4,000-plus following in the Leppings Lane end will be keen to see their side cement their promotion aspirations with a big result in S6.

And from the point of view from Wednesdayites, they'll be desperate to see their side mix it, and come out on top, against one of their biggest promotion rivals this season.

Owls boss Alan Irvine told the Sheffield Star:

'We need to bounce back, and bounce back against team who I think will be competing up there.

'I have been saying for weeks that the table will keep changing. There are so few points between so many teams, it's going to change continually.'

Wednesday will receive a boost with the return of captain Darren Purse at the heart of the Owls defence.

Purse is set to replace Tommy Spurr, but right-back Jon Otsemobor sits out the final game of his three-match ban.

Midfielder Tommy Miller suffered a tight thigh following the 1-0 loss at Charlton Athletic at the weekend but is expected to be fit for the clash with the Terriers.

Jermaine Johnson will also be pushing for a first league start of the season after featuring as a substitute in the defeat at The Valley.

The Jamaican could get his first start against the Terriers but, whether he starts or comes on as a substitute, Wednesdayites will be relying on him to add some much-needed spark to a lacklustre Owls attack.

Town will be without experienced striker Alan Lee for the trip to Hillsborough.

Lee, who enjoys a good goalscoring record against the Owls, sits out through suspension after receiving a straight red card in Huddersfield's game against Walsall at the weekend.

It means Jordan Rhodes and Joe Garner are the two likely starters in the Town attack tonight.

Alex Smithies and Gary Roberts remain long-term injury absentees for Town.

With Town's attacking options depleted, boss Lee Clark will be relying on Rhodes to lead the line well and grab the goals to give Town all three points.

Form:

Wednesday: L-D-W-W-W
Huddersfield: W-L-W-W-W

Head-to-Head:

Wednesday wins: 14
Huddersfield wins: 20
Draws: 8

Last Time Out:

Huddersfield 1-0 Wednesday

The Galpharm Stadium, 29/03/05

Wednesday fell to a slender defeat against the Terriers the last time the two sides met. Jonathan Worthington netted the only goal while Alex Bruce was sent-off for Wednesday as they slipped up in their quest for promotion.

v Southport (A, FA Cup 1) - 07/11/10

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