Sheff Wed V Burnley at Hillsborough : Match Preview

30 December 2012 15:01
Sheff Wed V Burnley - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.


Owls set to be unchanged

Sheffield Wednesday pair Jay Bothroyd and Jose Semedo remain doubtful for the home game with Burnley but manager Dave Jones could name an unchanged line-up.

Striker Bothroyd has missed the last six games due to an ankle injury while midfielder Semedo has been sidelined with a badly-cut knee.

Wednesday extended their unbeaten run to four matches with their goalless derby draw at Huddersfield on Saturday.

After a fourth straight clean sheet, Jones is unlikely to make any changes to his back four of Lewis Buxton, Anthony Gardner, Miguel Llera and Reda Johnson.

Jeremy Helan is available despite receiving two yellow cards at Huddersfield.

The on-loan Manchester City midfielder was shown a second yellow card midway through the first half but referee Mick Russell did not realise he had booked the same player for diving earlier in the game.

Gary Madine returned to the side on Saturday and is likely to continue but fellow forwards Chris O'Grady and Mamady Sidibe, on loan from Stoke, plus winger Jermaine Johnson are all pushing for recalls.

Top scorer Charlie Austin is a major doubt for Burnley.

Austin was struggling to make Saturday's 1-0 loss to Leicester due to a gluteal problem but started the match only to break down after seven minutes.

Boss Sean Dyche told the club's official website: "It was a strange one. Charlie cleared himself because he thought he was fine and unfortunately, as sometimes happens, once the reality of the game starts, the whistle blows and the adrenaline runs, he has felt a tightness in his glutes, so we've had to get him off straight away.

"You have to go with their feeling but we got Charlie off sharpish so hopefully he will settle down quickly. It's something we have to let settle down and see how long that will take."

Martin Paterson came on for the 23-goal striker but Sam Vokes could also push to start if Austin misses out, having featured for the last half-hour against the Foxes as Paterson reverted to a wide role.

Junior Stanislas is hoping to contest a place on the wing if he can shake off a hamstring problem but defender Ben Mee remains sidelined.

Source: PA