Preview: Owls v Colchester

Another home game, another chance to end a dreadful winless league run at Hillsborough that stretches back to last year and has lead to an end-of-season relegation battle for boss Gary Megson and his troops.

Colchester United are the visitors to S6 on Saturday, a side who will be keen for three points to keep their npower League One play-off hopes alive.

Wednesday have the horror-show of a 3-1 home loss against Brentford in midweek to put firmly to the back of their heads, and Megson will have a huge task in lifting his troops for a rare win on home soil.

Owls boss Gary Megson told the Sheffield Star:

"I have asked questions to every single player.

"I`m looking at it and thinking all that`s required is honesty and effort.

"Knowing that you have that and hoping that you have it are two different things.

"The team that plays on Saturday, because they`ve promised us, will have that honesty and effort.

"They can`t promise they`ll play well. They can promise they`ll try to play well. They can promise they`ll absolutely run their socks off so that at the end of the game they can`t run another yard. They can do that, because nobody can stop it.'

The biggest doubt for Wednesday will be over defender Rob Jones, who'll have a late fitness test against the visit of John Ward's men.

Jones suffered concussion after scoring in the midweek defeat against Brentford, and had to leave the field to be replaced by Jon Otsemobor.

Owls boss Megson is keeping everything crossed that his towering centre-back will be fit and available for selection, but he has a host of options available if not, with Michael Morrison, Mark Reynolds and Otsemobor all keen for a return to first team action.

Midfielder Giles Coke could be in contention for a return after missing the midweek game through Tonsillitis.

Megson could ring the changes elsewhere following another lacklustre home showing against the Bees.

Madine started well for Wednesday but the goals have dried up in recent games. Wednesday's defence may have it's problems, but the Owls need to start scoring more goals at home and Madine needs to start hitting the target again.

Colchester come into the game full of confidence after thrashing Exeter 5-1 last weekend and having a full week to prepare for the trip to Hillsborough.

The U's have no fresh injury or suspensions concerns and boss John Ward could stick with the same team.

Ward has a welcome selection problem with centre-back Tommy Smith returning from international duty with New Zealand, and he'll be pushing for a return to the starting eleven.

John-Joe O'Toole will also raise his hand for selection after featuring for 90 minutes in a reserve team game during the week, but he's likely to have to settle for a place on the bench.

Striker Steven Gillespie netted two for the U's last time out and he'll no doubt be licking his lips at coming up against a confidence-sapped Wednesday defence at Hillsborough. The striker is also playing for a new deal at the club.

Form:

Wednesday: L-D-L-L-L

Colchester: W-W-L-L-L

Head-To-Head:

Wednesday wins: 4

Colchester wins: 8

Draws: 5

Last Time Out:

Colchester 1-1 Wednesday

Weston Homes Community Stadium, 14/08/10

Neil Mellor struck with seven minutes to go to give the Owls a good point in the reverse fixture earlier in the season. Andy Bond had given the hosts the lead with a superb strike in the 50th minute.

v Tranmere Rovers (H) - 05/04/11

v Brighton (A) - 09/04/11

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