The new season is almost upon us and with it comes fresh optimism- at least for a short while anyway!
Sheffield Wednesday face Burnley tomorrow and thankfully the injury problems have all but disappeared over the summer.
The major obvious exception to this is the absence of American international right-back Frank Simek. The defender will be hoping to make a return sometime around the start of September.
Francis Jeffers is in need of match practise and is likely to miss out as is new signing Jimmy Smith although a place on the bench for either is an outside possibility.
Deon Burton has been in good form in pre-season and looks set to partner the tireless Akpo Sodje in attack.
Jermaine Johnson is another who has impressed during the friendly games and his performance could be key if the Owls are to get a positive result from the game.
Richard Wood will captain the side with Steve Watson pushing for a place in the starting 11. James O'Connor should make his Owls league debut against his former employees so utility man Watson will probably be in contention with Sean McAllister for the role alongside O'Connor or with Richard Hinds for the right-back slot.
Visitors Burnley have been busy in the transfer market over the summer and have acquired a number of players that could all make their league debuts at Hillsborough. These include Peruvian goalkeeper Diego Penny, full-back Christian Kalvenes, midfielders Kevin McDonald & Remco Van Der Schaaf and striker Martin Paterson, who scored twice for Scunthorpe at Hillsborough last season.
More familiar to Owls fans will be Clarets winger Chris Eagles. The skilful wide player who enjoyed a loan spell with Wednesday during the 2005/06 season signed from Manchester United last month.
Let's hope it won't be yet another case of the old boy returning to haunt his former club, unless of course its O'Connor who lives up to that mantle in this match.