Sheffield Wednesday make the long trip to Wiltshire this weekend as their match at Swindon Town is one of the few football league fixtures not to fall foul of the winter weather that has swept across the country.
Wednesday are likely to be without in-form front man Neil Mellor after he was stretchered off during the midweek defeat Carlisle with an ankle injury. Alan Irvine could replace him with Paul Heffernan or choose to play wide man Jermaine Johnson in a more advanced role. Winger Gary Teale sat out Tuesday evening’s cup tie and is in line for a return and midfielder Giles Coke is also pushing for a place in the starting eleven.
Lewis Buxton, who has missed out recently due to a hamstring problem, is closing in on a return to full fitness; the defender who usually plays at right-back has been one of the club’s most consistent performers this season.
Swindon are managed by former Owls midfielder Danny Wilson. The former Northern Ireland international was a consistent performer in the Wednesday midfield during the successful period in the early 90’s but his reputation at Hillsborough was tainted somewhat by an unsuccessful spell as manager, which led to the club’s relegation from the Premier League in 2000.
Ex-Owls centre-back Peter Shirtliff serves as Wilson’s assistant and a couple of players that have previously donned the blue and white stripes are on the books at the County Ground. Goalkeeper David Lucas and midfielder Jon-Paul McGovern, both key players in the Owls promotion winning side of 2004/05, have previously been regulars in the Swindon team but have both lost their places in the starting line-up recently. The pair will no doubt be eager to impress against their former club should they be given the opportunity.
Town captain Jonathan Douglas could make a return, the former Leeds midfielder has been sidelined with a groin strain. Striker Vincent Pericard was back in the starting line up in the F.A. Cup at Crawley last weekend and is set to partner hotshot Charlie Austin in attack.
Wednesday travel to the County Ground looking to bounce back from the 3-1 midweek loss at Carlisle in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy. The Owls had won their previous 6 matches and a win here could see them climb into the automatic promotion places.
Swindon have not won in 3 games in all competitions and they have only picked up 6 points from their past 7 League One matches. The Robins sit just above the relegation zone having won 4 of 9 home games in the league so far this season.
Wednesday won the last meeting between the two sides in League One back in January 2005 but they lost twice at the County Ground in league and cup that season, conceding 7 goals in the process. In 17 matches away at Swindon the Owls have won 5 times and have lost on 11 occasions.