Preview: Dag & Red v Owls

TWO words Wednesdayites certainly won't have been expecting to hear at the start of the season would have been 'relegation battle', but that's exactly what the Owls are in the mix of ahead of their trip to fellow strugglers Dagenham & Redbridge this weekend.

Wednesday sit just four points above the npower League One relegation places ahead of the clash with Daggers, who trail Wednesday by just three points and will move level if they bag three points at Victoria Road.

Another defeat for Gary Megson's men could mean big trouble for the Owls as the season reaches its 'business end'

But Wednesday defeated the Daggers 2-0 on the first day of the season and will be bolstered by two more new loan additions on Thursday, who will go straight into the squad.

Dagenham will be without the services of full-back Oluwafemi Ilesanmi as he sits out the first of a two-game suspension.

The left-back was dismissed in the Daggers ' draw with Leyton Orient and tried to overturn the suspension, but his appeal was dismissed.

Wednesday weren't the only side to bolster their squad with loan additions before Thursday's emergency loan deadline, and the Daggers could give debut to midfielder Oliver Lee, who arrived at Victoria Road from West Ham.

Solomon Taiwo is still struggling for fitness following an ankle injury and is unlikely to make it in time for the Owls visit but Cameron Lancaster, another new loan addition, is expected to be part of the squad.

The new loan addition, from West Ham, is expected to make the squad and he'll be keen for a good debut in front of his own fans.

Wednesday boss Gary Megson is expected to throw new loan signings Joey O'Brien and Lee Nicholls straight into the squad for the trip down the M1.

O'Brien arrives at S6 for a second loan stint from Bolton Wanderers and could slot straight into the Owls midfield, while Nicholls is expected to take the number one jersey from Richard O'Donnell, who filled in for the injured Nicky Weaver at Southampton last week.

Wednesday have no fresh injury concerns but Megson is expected to change things around following last weeks 2-0 defeat against the Saints.

O'Brien returns to S6 for his second loan spell and is expected to play some part, whether it be a starting role and from the bench, and Wednesdayites will be keen to see if he can offer the same qualities that helped the Owls up the League One ladder last time.

Form:

Daggers: D-W-D-W-W

Wednesday: L-L-L-W-L

Head-To-Head:

Daggers wins: 0

Draws: 0

Wednesday wins: 1

Last Time Out:

Wednesday 2-0 Dag & Red

Hillsborough, 07/08/10

A Scott Doe own goal and Clinton Morrison strike inside the first 15 minutes gave Wednesday victory on the first day of the season back in August. It was the first time the sides had met competitively.

v Brentford (H) - 29/03/11

v Colchester (H) - 02/04/11

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