Sheffield Wednesday face Ipswich Town as Hillsborough on Saturday with the battle to avoid relegation from the Championship showing no signs of becoming any clearer.
Teams near the foot of the table have continued to pick up points over the past week and with the Owls only winning 1 point from 2 tricky away fixtures the gap between them and the bottom 3 has reduced to just 3 points.
The Owls managed a hard fought 0-0 draw at Blackpool on Tuesday but they will be after all 3 to try and ease the pressure somewhat on Saturday. Reda Johnson was not included in midweek but could be in line for a return to the squad. On loan midfielder Seyi Olofinjana could also return from a knee injury that has kept him out of the last 2 matches.
Gary Madine is closing in on a return from a hamstring problem but a place on the bench is probably the best he can hope for with the likes of Steve Howard, Leroy Lita and Chris Maguire also in contention for a place in the Wednesday attack.
Ipswich enjoyed a comfortable home victory over Crystal Palace in midweek and another win will surely assure them of Championship football next season.
Winger Lee Martin could miss out on the Hillsborough clash due to an ankle injury but diminutive midfielder Jay Tabb could return from a recent knee problem.
The Owls have won their last 2 home games but lost their previous 2 at Hillsborough and have been beaten 10 times on their own turf already this season. Tuesday's clean sheet at Blackpool was their first in their last 10 matches.
Ipswich have only suffered 2 defeats in their last 10 games, winning 5 of these. They have won drawn and lost 9 on their travels in the Championship this season.
The Tractor Boys have won and lost 8 of their 19 previous matches at Hillsborough and they have not lost on their last 3 visits.
Wednesday enjoyed a 3-0 win at Portman Road in October but results have improved for Ipswich since Mick McCarthy was appointed as manager.