Preview: SWFC v Coventry

Wednesday have three games to try and sneak a place in the Championship play-offs - and they'll have to win their two remaining home games if they stand any chance, starting on Saturday against Coventry.

Iain Dowie has turned the club around somewhat since the departure of Micky Adams - and the Sky Blues will be wanting to bounce back following their 4-0 hammering at home against Preston last weekend.

Meanwhile, Wednesday will be hoping to make amends after they had two men sent off in a 3-1 defeat at the Ricoh Arena earlier in the season.

Chris Brunt told the official SWFC site:

'We're out to win all our games. We need things to go our way but if we can end the season with five or six wins in a row, that's a good end and a good basis for next season if the play-offs don't happen.

'We have done well in the last few weeks, got some good results and just need to keep the run going. Results are the most important thing at this stage of the season but we have good performances as well. If we keep that going, we're more than capable of getting three points.'

It will be the final game for loan stopper Iain Turner after Everton revealed they would be recalling the Scottish international stopper after Saturday's clash as cover for the rest of the Premiership campaign.

Turner has been in sensational form since arriving at Hillsborough and will be hoping to keep his unbeaten stretch in goal going for one more game against Iain Dowie's men on Saturday.

Owls boss Brian Laws has no fresh injury concerns going in to the clash with the Sky Blues but could have a selection headache with the return of Steve Watson after the former Everton man was ineligible for the clash with parent club West Brom last weekend.

Watson could well return to the Owls midfield in place of Kenny Lunt, with Laws opting to keep the same back four that performed so well at the Hawthornes last Friday.

Laws will also ponder whether to swap his strikers around again.

His rotation policy in recent matches has worked a treat in recent weeks, and Laws will have to decide on whether to use Deon Burton, Steve Maclean, Leon Clarke or Marcus Tudgay in the Owls attack.

Tudgay is likely to be available to switch to attack after winger Jermaine Johnson made his comeback for the reserves in midweek after suffering chicken pox in recent weeks.

The former Bradford man should go straight in to the Owls starting line-up on the right-wing, offering some much needed pace to the Owls' attacks.

Peter Gilbert is fit and available for selection once again after picking up an injury at the victory at Cardiff City, but Tommy Spurr is set to get the nod to continue at the back.

The former Derby man has been in hot form recently and the offer of a new contract on the table at the moment could see him repay his boss with a goal or two against City, and become the Owls' outright leading scorer. Though Steve Maclean could well have something to say about that.

Injuries mean City boss Iain Dowie will be forced into a number of changes for City - with veteran midfielder Don Hutchison set to make his comeback.

Adam Virgo (broken arm & wrist) and Khalilou Fadiga (ruptured achilles) are both out for the season, while Leon McKenzie (thigh), Colin Cameron (hamstring) and Colin Hawkins (achilles) are out and Michael Doyle serves the last match of his suspension.

The former Sheffield United defender is sure to be under the spotlight on Saturday afternoon, and loves to be the centre of attention when the Owls fans focus their booing his way...

Last Time Out:

Coventry 3-1 Wednesday, Ricoh Arena, 18th November 2006.

Wednesday crashed to an undeserved defeat at the Ricoh Arena after having two men sent off early doors to make their task doubly difficult. Wade Small and Chris Brunt both saw red, but despite their early dismissals the Owls took an early lead through Brunt before a Bougherra own goal and further strikes from Leon McKenzie gave the Sky Blues all three points.

Head-To-Head:

Wednesday wins: 26
Coventry wins: 29
Draws: 20

Form:

Wednesday: W-W-W-W-D
Coventry: L-D-L-L-W

Previous Line-Ups:

Wednesday: Turner, Simek (Hills 90), Bullen, Wood, Spurr, Tudgay, Whelan (Folly 75), Brunt, Lunt, MacLean (Clarke 80), Burton. Subs Not Used: Adamson, Johnson.

Coventry: Marshall, Virgo, Page, Ward, Hall, Osbourne, Cameron, Hughes, Tabb (McKenzie 46), Kyle, Mifsud (Adebola 46), McKenzie (Fadiga 69). Subs Not Used: Steele, Turner.

Championship Matches:

Friday

Derby County v Luton Town

Saturday

Barnsley v Crystal Palace
Colchester v Sunderland
Plymouth v Southend
Preston v Leicester
QPR v Cardiff
Sheff Wed v Coventry
Southampton v Leeds
Stoke v Hull

Sunday

Norwich City v Ipswich Town
Wolves v Birmingham

Vs Birmingham City (A) - 28/04/07

Vs Norwich City (H) - 06/05/07

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