Wednesday boss Brian Laws will be looking to bag his side’s first win of the season against former club Scunthorpe United this weekend.
Picking up just two points and without kicking up a fuss, Wednesday have played well in their opening three thus far, and Laws will be looking to turn those performances into points on Saturday.
On their return to the Championship, the Iron have failed to adjust as well as last time, living up to their relegation possibilities tag following promotion last term.
But United will be keen to prove their doubters wrong, and they’ll be thinking of no better place to do that than at Hillsborough against their former boss.
Vital Quotes:
Owls assistant boss Russ Wilcox told the official SWFC website:
‘This will be another hard game, they have got goals in them but they have also conceded eight goals so far so we’ll be very positive and take the game to them.
‘We’ve had some tough away games so it’s nice to get back to Hillsborough and we’ll hopefully get our first win this weekend.’
Wednesday Team News:
The big news for Owls news is the inclusion of new loan signing Luke Varney, who makes a welcome return to S6 following his successful loan stint from Derby last season.
The former Crewe man will go straight into the squad, but whether Laws gives him the nod for a start, or includes him on the bench, is unknown.
Akpo Sodje will also bolster the Owls’ options, with Laws revealing the injury-plagued striker is set for inclusion in the squad, returning sooner than expected, but Leon Clarke is still a way away from a return.
Wednesday have no fresh injury or suspension concerns going into the clash.
Player to watch: Luke Varney
All eyes will be on the returning attacker, with a positive response expected from the Hillsborough faithful whether he starts on the pitch or on the bench.
Scunthorpe United Team News:
Iron boss Nigel Adkins could be forced to make some changes to the side that lost against Middlesbrough in midweek whether he wants to or not.
Michael O’Connor was injured in the clash with Gareth Southgate’s men and is rated as 50-50 for Saturday’s clash, while David Mirfin is also struggling to be fit with an ankle problem.
Scunthorpe’s attacking options could also be boosted with the return of former Millwall man Ben May, who’s set to return following a hamstring injury.
Player to watch: Paul Hayes
Scunthorpe will be relying on goals to keep them in the Championship this season and will be hoping Hayes can get his fair share of them. The former Barnsley frontman will be keen to get one over the Owls.
Match Facts & Stats
Head-to-Head
Wednesday wins: 4
Scunthorpe wins: 3
Draws: 4
Last Time Out
Scunthorpe 1-1 Wednesday
Glanford Park, 05/04/08
Loan star Ben Sahar rescued a point for Wednesday early in the second half after Ian Morris had given the hosts a first-half advantage. Not a classic.
Next Fixtures:
v Port Vale (A, Carling Cup) – 25/08/09
v Plymouth (A) – 29/08/09
