Sheffield Wednesday make the short trip to near neighbours Rotherham on Friday evening with the clash being shown live on Sky Sports. With city neighbours Sheffield United continuing to languish in the 3rd division the ties against the Millers represent the closest league derbies Wednesday will face this season and bragging rights are up for grabs for both sets of supporters.
More importantly, the Owls will be looking to extend their recent unbeaten run and continue to make progress in the top half of the Championship table.
Carlos Carvalhal made 7 changes to his starting 11 for the midweek game at QPR and further changes are expected as he looks to keep his players fresh during a busy period of games.
Moudou Sougou will miss out after picking up a shoulder injury at Loftus Road and centre-back Michael Turner is unlikely to be fit enough to return from a knee injury. Winger Marco Matias may also be struggling for fitness but the likes of former Rotherham loan player Jack Hunt, Daniel Pudil, Ross Wallace, Sam Hutchinson, Kieran Lee and Lucas Joao will all come into contention.
Rotherham are likely to field a number of former Wednesday players for the sell-out clash. Dependable defender Lewis Buxton should feature and attacking player Chris Maguire will be keen to impress if given the opportunity against his former employers. Full-back Joe Mattock his resumed full training following an injury and could also be included against his old club.
Midfielders Danny Ward and Joe Newell could also return having missed the Millers’ last 2 games and Richie Smallwood is available after serving a suspension. Lee Frecklington is not quite fit enough to return from a calf injury.
Wednesday come into the match having not lost in their last 7 in all competitions though their 2 fixtures since returning from the international break have both resulted in draws.
Rotherham are without a win in 3 since the departure of former manager Steve Evans but they earned a creditable draw against high-flying Reading on Tuesday and have picked up 7 of their 9 league points to date in their last 5 matches.
Wednesday took 4 points from their 2 games against the Millers last season, following up a 0-0 draw at Hillsborough with a 3-2 win at the New York Stadium, coming from behind to score 2 injury time goals.