Preview: MK Dons v Owls

Wednesday turn their attentions back to the football this weekend with the trip to Stadium:mk to face MK Dons in npower League One on Saturday.

Wednesdayites have had their attentions firmly on the off-the-field problems this week, but a trip to Milton Keynes turns the focus back to the football.

The Owls are on a run of three wins on the spin and will be eager for more points at Stadium:mk to help shoot them back up the league table.

MK Dons will be no pushovers though - they currently sit above Wednesday in the table - and will be keen for the super scalp of beating Wednesday on their first trip to the club's new stadium.

Owls boss Alan Irvine told the official SWFC website:

'We've taken our chances in the last few games and that has been the biggest thing of all for me.

'Right at this moment we are playing well, we're getting the goals and we're looking confident and it's important that continues.'

MK Dons boss Karl Robinson told the club's official website:

'They'll be looking to the future and not the cloud that's hanging over them; I don't think that affects any footballer.

'Clinton Morrison, Neil Mellor, Darren Purse, Nicky Weaver, Giles Coke, Gary Teale - that's a fantastic League 1 team and you'd go a long way to find a better one.

'They're players that have played regular Premier League football, playing in League 1. They've got a very good manager too so, from that perspective, their position is a healthy one.

'The quality of the players is there for all to see and I'm sure when they come here on Saturday, to a magnificent stadium and a great pitch, those players will Premier League experience will raise their game.'

MK Dons will be desperate to give their home supporters something to cheer following their disappointing FA Cup exit against Stevenage Borough in midweek.

Karl Robinson's men have the joint-best home record in League One this season with six wins and two draws from their eight league matches - a daunting prospect for Alan Irvine and his men.

The hosts could be boosted with the return of defender Sean O'Hanlon, who has missed the last four games through a stomach injury.

Robinson will also have on-loan former Doncaster Rovers and Barnsley midfielder Michael McIndoe back and available after being unavailable for the midweek FA Cup defeat.

The only doubt for the hosts is the fitness of Angelo Balanta with an ankle injury.

Wednesday fans know McIndoe well from his spells at Doncaster Rovers and Barnsley, and the midfielder is enjoying a loan spell at Stadium:mk from Coventry City. McIndoe returns to the MK Dons squad this weekend and will no doubt be a big threat in the centre of the park.

Wednesday will be without midfielder Giles Coke, who serves a one-match ban after picking up a fifth yellow card of the season in the 2-0 victory over Rochdale at Hillsborough last weekend.

Coke's absence will be a big blow for Owls boss Alan Irvine, but it could be off-set with the news that winger Jermaine Johnson could well make a swift return to action.

The Jamaican returned to training on Thursday and is expected to be at least named in the squad for the trip down the M1.

Defender Jon Otsemobor is struggling with a calf injury, meaning Lewis Buxton could start at right-back with Mark Beevers and skipper Darren Purse at centre-back, and Tommy Spurr at left-back.

Irvine is set to stick with the in-form strike pairing of Neil Mellor and Clinton Morrison in attack, with Marcus Tudgay having to settle for a place on the bench.

The experienced striker showed exactly what he's all about in last weekend's 2-0 win over Rochdale with a top-drawer performance, as well as scoring the Owls' second. Morrison has formed a good partnership with Neil Mellor in attack and will be looking to maintain that at Stadium:mk.

Current Form:

MK Dons: L-W-D-W-L

Wednesday: W-W-W-L-L

Head-to-Head: (including Wimbledon)

MK Dons wins: 16

Wednesday wins: 12

Draws: 12

Last Time Out:

MK Dons 2-2 Wednesday

National Hockey Stadium, 21/01/05

James Quinn opened the scoring for Wednesday the last time the sides met before Clive Platt levelled just before the hour mark. The Owls looked to have won it when Ben Chorley's own goal put the visitors ahead again before Izale McLeod levelled with five minutes to go.

v Walsall (H) - 23/11/10

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