The Owls are expected to be led out for the first time in a competitive match by new Captain Darren Purse after he came through last weeks friendly with Blackburn. Richard Wood is expected to partner him at the heart of the back four though Mark Beevers and Richard Hinds are also in contention.
Lewis Buxton may be preferred to Frank Simek at right-back with the American easing his way to a full return from long-term-injury.
Wednesday’s midfield options have increased with Michael Gray, Jermaine Johnson and Etienne Esajas vying for wide berths it is likely to be two from Potter, O’Connor and McAllister in the centre of the park. Tommy Miller is expected to be on the bench having only had his first pre-season game in midweek.
Up front Akpo Sodje is unlikely to feature this month and so Marcus Tudgay will most probably be partnered by Francis Jeffers or Leon Clarke, a decision which may be influenced by the extent of a knock picked up by Clarke last weekend.
The visitors have been in good form during pre-season but are likely to be without some of last season’s top performers. One definite omission from last season’s team is highly rated German keeper who has moved back to his homeland.
Key midfielders Anderson De Silva and Hugo Colace have been struggling with injuries and may not be fit for the derby clash.
Striker Iain Hume could return to the squad for a first competitive game since fracturing his skull against Sheffield United last year.
Wednesday will be out for revenge having been beaten by the Tykes home and away last season. Prior to the 1-0 victory last time out Barnsley have struggled at Hillsborough, Wednesday had won the previous nine league meetings at S6 dating back to the early 1980’s.