Wednesday Vs Hull City: Team news & preview
Sheffield Wednesday start their home campaign against Hull City on Saturday and badly need a positive result to boost what has been a disappointing start to the season.
Having lost 3-2 at newly promoted Wigan in their opening game of the season last weekend the club have since divulged that financial constraints have prevented them from being active in the transfer market this summer.
To make matters worse, Atdhe Nuhiu, a goal scorer in the defeat at the DW Stadium, received a harsh 2nd booking late on in the contest and will be suspended for Hull's visit to Hillsbororugh as a result of the red card. Lucas Joao and Steven Fletcher are in contention to replace Nuhiu alongside Fernando Forestieri in attack though some Owls supporters would like to see both striker play with Forestieri then given a more free role behind a front 2.
Wednesday remain without key players Kieran Lee and Gary Hooper though the latter has stepped up his training regime and it is hoped he will feature for the under 23's soon in a bid to gain match fitness. Young goalkeeper Cameron Dawson was chosen to start the season in goal last weekend, leaving the future of Keiren Westwood in doubt. The Republic of Ireland stopper has retained the number 1 squad jersey but wasn't even included in the matchday squad last weekend.
The mood around Hull City is hardly upbeat either with many supporters still at odds with the approach of the owner and a 3-1 home defeat in their season opener at home to Aston Villa on Monday hardly helped matters.
The Tigers have however had a busy summer in the transfer market and started the Villa game with 4 debutants, including a new centre-back pairing which may need some time to gel on the evidence of Monday's game.
Jon Toral is likely to return to the squad having missed the Villa defeat with a minor knock and former Burton midfielder Jackson Irvine could come into the starting 11. Poland international wide-midfielder Kamil Grosicki is unlikely to start the game as speculation continues to link him with a move away but in the likes of Evandro and Jarrod Bowen, Hull have enough quality to cause the Owls problems.
The Owls won 1-0 at Hull thanks to a Jordan Rhodes goal when the teams met last in April but the encounter at Hillsbgorough last season ended in frustration for the home crowd when a late goal saw City come away with a 2-2 draw.