Wednesday will look to continue their winning start to the season when they make the long trip to Dean Court to take on Bournemouth on Saturday.
The Owls opened their new npower League One campaign with a 2-0 win over Rochdale last weekend and followed it up with a penalty shoot-out success against Blackpool on Thursday night.
Gary Megson and his squad will fly down to the south coast for the match – which comes just 48 hours after the Carling Cup contest.
The Cherries will fancy their chances of bagging their first league points of the season – they lost 3-0 at Charlton on the opening day – after thrashing Dagenham and Redbridge 5-0 on home soil in the cup in midweek.
Vital Quotes:
Cherries boss Lee Bradbury told the official Bournemouth website:
‘Under Gary Megson, Wednesday showed here last season what a good side they are, and they are a good honest side. He has strengthened the squad this week and they will be a force to be reckoned with this season.
‘It’s a game we are looking forward to. The lads are confident and boosted after Tuesday’s result and performance. There will be a big crowd, and it should be a great game.’
Bournemouth Team News:
Bournemouth are expected to welcome new loan addition Ryan Doble into their squad for the visit of the Owls. Doble joined the Cherries yesterday and Bournemouth boss Lee Bradbury is set to throw him straight into his matchday squad.
The hosts will have doubts over the fitness of Scott Malone after he sustained a knock from Tuesday night’s cup game – he’ll have a late fitness test. Warren Cummings could step-in to replace him if required.
Harry Arter could return to the squad after suffering from food poisoning in the week, but Michael Symes and Steve Lovell are definitely sidelined through injury.
Player to watch: Marc Pugh
Pugh bagged the opener in Bournemouth’s midweek cup win and he’ll be vital in any success for the hosts this weekend.
Wednesday Team News:
Wednesday boss Gary Megson is expected to make big changes to the side that beat Blackpool on penalties on Thursday night.
The Owls boss made ten changes to the side that beat Rochdale 2-0 on the opening day of the new league season, and he’s expected to revert back to a similar line-up to that of last Saturday.
Chris Lines has signed for the Owls for £50,000 from Bristol Rovers but he’s expected to sit out the clash at Dean Court, although he is available if needed.
Strikers Chris O’Grady and Daniel Uchechi have also penned deals at S6 this week and the duo could feature in the matchday squad, although O’Grady is carrying a slight knock.
The Owls have no fresh injury or suspension concerns.
Player to watch: David Prutton
The Owls’ man of the match against Rochdale, Prutton is set to return to the Wednesday midfield and add some much-needed bite for what’s set to be a tough contest against the Cherries.
Match Facts & Stats
Head-to-Head:
Bournemouth wins: 4
Wednesday wins: 3
Draws: 6
Last Time Out:
Bournemouth 0-0 Wednesday
Dean Court, 22/02/2011
Neither side could find the breakthrough the last time the two sides met earlier this year.
Next Fixtures:
v Bury (A) – 16/08/11
