Wednesday will hope to continue their encouraging start to life back in the Championship when Millwall provide the opposition at Hillsborough this bank holiday weekend.
The Owls lie second going into the clash thanks to a win and draw from their first two matches since promotion, continuing Dave Jones’s unbeaten run as Wednesday boss.
The Lions will make the trip to South Yorkshire on the back of a morale-boosting 2-1 win on their travels at Peterborough United last time out, setting-up an interesting clash at S6.
Vital Quotes:
Millwall’s former Sheffield United striker Darius Henderson told the Sheffield Star:
I will not look upon it as anything special. I will just be looking forward to going up there to do my job. Hopefully, that means picking up a goal.
“It is always a fantastic atmosphere at Hillsborough. All the boys are looking forward to it – it is a great arena to play at.
“I have played in two Sheffield derbies – I scored the second in that 3-2 win at Bramall Lane.”
Wednesday Team News:
Owls boss Dave Jones will be tempted to stick with the same starting eleven that beat Birmingham City at Hillsborough on Tuesday night.
Anthony Gardner missed that game through injury and could be fit and available to feature, although Mark Beevers, who replaced him on Tuesday, performed well and will no doubt be disappointed to be dropped.
Loan striker Rodri will be eager to continue where he left off. Scoring a fine goal on his debut, the Barcelona B striker was given an hour on his first game in the blue and white and will be keen to build on that this weekend.
Gary Madine and Chris Maguire will both be chomping at the bit to get a start, as will Nejc Pecnik, but the performances of Chris O’Grady so far this season will surely see the former Leicester City man continue up top.
Chris Lines remains Wednesday’s only definite absentee through injury.
Player to watch: Rodri
Scorer in his debut at Hillsborough on Tuesday night, he’ll be keen to build on that performance against Millwall, and Wednesdayites will be keen to see more of him.
Millwall Team News:
Millwall are expected to stick with the same eleven that defeat Posh 2-1 at London Road in midweek.
Kenny Jackett will still be without influential captain Paul Robinson, who’s still recovering from a groin injury, while Tamika Mkandawire will also be out with a knee injury.
Player to watch: Darius Henderson
Henderson scored in Millwall’s win at Peterborough in midweek and will be a threat to the Owls’ defence. Oh, and he’s a former Blade, too, so Henderson is sure to have that extra fire in his belly to score against the Owls.
Match Facts & Stats
Head-to-Head:
Wednesday wins: 14
Millwall wins: 14
Draws: 10
Last Time Out:
Millwall 0-1 Wednesday
The New Den, 4/5/06
Who can forget the last time the side’s met? Lee Bullen going in goal for Wednesday, Millwall ‘score’, have it ruled out, and then the Owls go straight down the other end to net what turned out to be the winner, with the home fans still celebrating their disallowed effort.
Next Fixtures:
v Fulham (H, League Cup) – 28/8/12
v Crystal Palace (A) – 1/9/12
