Sheffield Wednesday travel to Blackpool on Saturday as they look to progress to the last 16 of the F.A. Cup. As in the 3rd Round, the Owls are faced with Championship promotion hopefuls. Both sides have promotion from their respective divisions as their priority this season and as a result some changes are likely but a good cup run can enhance spirit and confidence so both teams will be eager to progress.
Gary Megson has a number of defensive issues to concern him. Daniel Jones picked up an injury in the 1st half during Tuesday’s win at Scunthorpe and he will miss out as will cup-tied defender Miguel Llera. Fellow defenders Reda Johnson, Rob Jones and Julian Bennett all face late assessments of their fitness and midfielder Mike Jones is also cup-tied having featured for Bury earlier in this season’s competition.
Blackpool’s only major fitness concern is whether striker Lomana LuaLua will be fit having missed out last weekend. Ian Holloway has however added another striker to his ranks after signing young Frenchman Nouha Dicko on loan from Wigan and he could make his debut against the Owls.
The Seasiders rested a number of first team players when they overcame Fleetwood in the last round though they were still able to call upon the likes of experienced striker Kevin Phillips and in-form former Sheffield United loan winger Matt Phillips.
The Owls won 2-1 on their last visit to Blackpool in January 2010 and have already beaten them this season at Hillsborough on penalties when both teams fielded much-changed line-ups in the League Cup.
Source: FOOTYMAD
