Wednesday Vs Derby: Team news & preview
Sheffield Wednesday host Derby County at Hillsborough on Saturday as domestic football returns following the last international break of 2018.
The Owls could be boosted by a return to the squad for diminutive striker Fernando Forestieri who has not featured in over a month due to a groin injury. Fellow forward Marco Matias made a brief appearance as substitute in the draw at Sheffield United last time out having recovered from a similar injury and is expected to be in the squad.
Derby could have some positive news of their own with key midfielder Mason Mount closing in on a return from an ankle injury while fellow midfielder Craig Bryson and striker Martyn Waghorn will also have their fitness assessed having missed the last game at home to Aston Villa. Full-back Craig Forsyth faces a long spell on the sidelines having suffered a serious knee injury during the defeat to Villa.
Wednesday come into the game without a win in five. Their battling performance in the 0-0 draw against Sheffield United did at least bring to an end a run of 4 straight defeats and earn them their first clean sheet of the season but they will have to offer a great deal more going forward if they are to threaten Derby.
The Rams suffered a setback losing 3-0 at home last time out but had been in good form prior to that, beating fellow high-flyers West Brom and Sheffield United. Derby are currently in 6th place in the Championship, 8 points ahead of 17th placed Wednesday who are only 4 points above the bottom 3.
Wednesday have managed to improve on a dismal record against Derby recently by winning their last two home games against them, including a 2-0 win when they last faced each other at Hillsborough back in February.