Sheffield Wednesday host League Two side Aldershotin the 2nd Round of the F.A. Cup on Saturday as they look to progress in football’s most famous cup competition.
Gary Megson must make do without a host of loan players for the tie. Striker Sanchez Watt has not been granted permission to play by his parent club Arsenal, goalkeeper Stephen Bywater and winger Ben Marshall are also unavailable for the same reason.
Miguel Angel Llera is prevented from playing as he is cup-tied having already featured for Brentford in the competition and fellow centre-back Danny Batth is suspended.
The Owls are boosted however by the likely return of captain Rob Jones and right-back James Tavernier has been granted permission to play for the Owls in the cup by his parent club Newcastle.
Aldershot, managed by former Wimbledon striker Dean Holdsworth, have a few selection issues of their own. Midfielders Charlie Henry and Jamie Day will both sit out the match at Hillsborough. Day, on loan from Crawley, has not been granted permission to play by his parent club and Henry has already represented his parent club,Luton, in this season’s competition.
Wednesday are unbeaten at home this season having won 8 and drawn 1 of their 9 league games at Hillsborough. The Owls have lost just 1 of their last 12 matches and are currently in 2nd place in League One.
Aldershot’s recent form has been more indifferent with their only win in their last 5 games coming in an F.A. Cup 2nd round replay at home to Maidenhead. The Shots are currently in 16th place in League Two though they have won 4 away games in the league and also enjoyed a 2-1 win at Championship side West Ham in the Carling Cup in August.
In 4 matches between the 2 sides the Owls have never been beaten, winning twice and drawing twice. The last meeting was in the League Cup in 1989 when, after a 0-0 draw in the 1st leg at Hillsborough Wednesday won the 2nd leg 8-0.