Preview: Owls v Burnley

Another match, another hope for the Owls' first points of the season as Steve Cotterill's Burnley side visit Hillsborough tonight.

Wednesday have lost all five of their opening Championship fixtures but will be hoping that two matches on the bounce will see a turnaround in their season, with the sack looming over boss Brian Laws.

The Owls gaffer twice turned around the fortunes of the club last season and will be confident of doing the same again against a Burnley side who will be hurting from the late leveller they conceded against Blackpool at the weekend.

Owls boss Brian Laws told the Yorkshire Post:

'What I have discussed with the chairman is about how we move forward. There has been no discussion about a 'job' and I think that's what you want to hear.

'Historically, this football club is run by decisions - and obviously the chairman feels a bit of pressure himself, and he will make decisions I'm sure if things aren't going in the right direction.

'That's the downside of management and that's the downside of football but, while I'm here, I will give everything to the football club and everything to the players.'

Burnley boss Steve Cotterill told the Lancashire Telegraph:

'We know it will be a tough game, so we won't be taking any notice about where they are in the league because the league's only a few games old and really doesn't mean anything at this moment in time,' he said.

'League tables didn't used to be published yet. There would be a few weeks' grace. Now they're out at half-time on the first day of the season aren't they? That's nonsense really.

'The league is two minutes old. Because they haven't won a game there's a lot of pressure on them and then there's an expectancy that everybody thinks we should go there and win.

'It's not like that in this league.'

Peter Gilbert could return for the Owls as he looks to pass a late fitness test after picking up a knee injury, with Tommy Spurr the man likely to miss out.

Francis Jeffers is the only major worry for Wednesday after the former Everton man limped off in the defeat at Preston, but he could feature on the bench.

The loss of Jeffers could mean Deon Burton is welcomed back to the first team alongside Akpo Sodje, while Marcus Tudgay will also be hoping for a return to the squad after missing out at Deepdale.

Whelan is one of the few players who hav e come out of the opening games with praise, and the Irishman will be central to any kind of Wednesday revival, starting tonight against the Clarets.

The Clarets usually make impressive starts to their campaigns but end up fading away towards the latter part of the season, and Cotterill won't be wanting a repeat this season.

The Clarets welcome back Kyle Lafferty to the squad for the trip to South Yorkshire after the Irishman was suspended for the weekend visit of Blackpool.

But the Turf Moor club have been dealt a blow so early in the season with the news that new-signing Besart Berisha will be out for the rest of the season with cruciate knee ligament damage.

Former Sheffield United men Ade Akinbiyi and Jon Harley are likely to feature.

The former United man will be desperate to score against his former rivals and help Burnley keep up their impressive start to the new campaign.

22/09/07: Hull City (H)

26/09/07: Everton (H) (Carling Cup)

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