Sheffield Wednesday face a stern test at Hillsborough on Saturday as high-flying West Bromwich Albion make the trip to S6. The Owls are struggling for form of late and have brought in two new faces during the week in an attempt to add a fresh approach to the team. Midfielder Tom Soares and striker Warren Feeney both signed on loan for the Owls on Thursday and both are expected to be named in the squad.
Wednesday will definitely be without Tommy Miller in the middle of the park as he is still suffering from a hamstring injury but Francis Jeffers is expected to shake off a knock to make the squad and other than this Brian Laws has no injury concerns.
Wednesday adopted a 4-3-3 formation for the second away game in succession at Ipswich Town last time out but could revert back to 4-4-2 at Hillsborough.
The Owls have improved defensively of late with new centre-back pairing Lewis Buxton and Richard Hinds fairing well and so Captain Darren Purse and youngster Mark Beevers may both have to bide their time before getting another chance in the first 11. Wednesday have not been firing on all cylinders going forward of late so Sean McAllister, Etienne Esajas and Leon Clarke could all be in contention to face the Baggies.
The visitors will doubtless travel to Hillsborough in confident mood and ex-Owl Chris Brunt will provide a major threat from the wing. They will however be without long-term injury victims James Morrison, Ishmael Miller and Neil Clement. WBA have also been hit by illness and injury in the past week or so. Striker Roman Bednar and defender Shelton Martis have been laid low by a virus and are unlikely to be 100% fit whilst young full-back Joe Mattock was stretchered off in last weeks demolition of Bristol City.
In addition to this, midfielders Robert Koren and Felipe Teixeira and attacking player Jerome Thomas are all carrying knocks and face late fitness assessments.
Wednesday go into the game on a poor run of form that has seen them fail to win in their last five and they have only picked up two wins from twelve. West Brom in contrast have only lost one of their last seven matches and have won their last three, scoring 11 goals in the process.
Recent contests between the two sides have been fairly even, they have clashed on eight occasions since 1991 with the Owls winning three, WBA winning two and three draws.
The Baggies won the last encounter at Hillsborough back in March 2008 thanks to a solitary goal from Kevin Phillips in injury time.