Sheffield Wednesday face Birmingham City in the midlands tonight in a vitally important game for both sides. An away win would see Wednesday climb above their opponents and move within touching distance of mid-table but a defeat could push them closer to the bottom three and leave them adrift of a number of clubs above them.
The Owls continue to be without the services of Reda Johnson though the defender could be in contention for a return on Saturday. On-loan Sunderland striker may be in line for his first Owls start having impressed as a substitute on his debut against Derby County last time out.
Birmingham could welcome back striker Marlon King who missed Saturday’s home defeat to Watford due to a knee injury. Towering striker Nicola Zigic could also return to the squad. Manager Lee Clark left Zigic out at the weekend following what he described as the worst effort and application in training he had ever seen but his attitude is reported to have improved over the past couple of days.
The Blues will be without midfielders Darren Ambrose and Keith Fahey as the pair are not yet thought to be match fit having recently returned from injury and compassionate leave respectively.
Wednesday come into the game having lost just one of their last eleven league matches. The Owls are undefeated in five away games and have won four of these.
Saturday’s 4-0 loss at home to Watford was Birmingham’s first defeat in six league matches, having won two and drawn three of their previous five games. Lee Clark’s side have won five, drawn five and lost six on home soil in the Championship this season.
Wednesday ran out 3-2 winners when the two teams clashed at Hillsborough back in August but they have lost on each of their last four visits to St Andrews.