Source: FOOTYMAD
Wednesday looking for third win in a row at Hillsborough
Owls Vs Pools: Team news & preview Sheffield Wednesday return to home soil to face Hartlepool on Saturday following last weekend’s defeat at table topping Brighton and the Owls will be aiming to make it three wins in succession on their own turf. Gary Megson could welcome striker Gary Madine back to the starting line-up after the former Carlisle forward missed out last weekend due to personal reasons. After a disappointing display on the south coast Megson may choose to make a few changes and if that is the case then centre-back Rob Jones and midfielders Giles Coke and Gary Teale could come into contention for a starting place. Tommy Miller may also be back in the team having missed out at Brighton due to contractual issues. Hartlepool are currently above Wednesday in mid-table in League One, adrift of the play-offs but comfortably clear of relegation trouble. With this in mind they may be able to play with less pressure though manager Mick Wadsworth insists there is plenty still at stake as he and his squad are playing for pride and their futures at the club. The visitors will be without popular striker James Brown who has been sidelined for a while due to an ankle injury. Defender Neil Austin is closing in on a return from a calf injury but is not expected to feature at Hillsborough. Striker Adam Boyd scored in last weekend’s 3-1 win over Yeovil and has set himself a target of scoring in each of Hartlepool’s remaining games this season. Former Owls players Steven Haslam and Ritchie Humphreys are both likely to be in the away team’s squad. Despite being 4 points behind Hartlepool in the table Wednesday have certainly held the upper hand against their opponents in previous meetings this season. The Owls ran out 5-0 winners at Victoria Park in the league back in August and also beat Pool’s 4-1 at Hillsborough in the Football League Trophy in November. The Owls have faced Hartlepool 6 times at home in total and have never lost to them at Hillsborough, winning 5 of these encounters.
