Sheffield Wednesday will bid to continue the impressive form that has seen them rise to third in the Championship table against fellow promotion hopefuls Leeds United on Saturday, but Owls boss Garry Monk is set to be faced with some considerable decisions regarding his starting XI.
Wednesday are unbeaten in three and could go above Marcelo Bielsa’s side with victory at Hillsborough, but they will come up against a Leeds side who will be looking to bounce back after drawing away at Preston on Tuesday night.
With the return to fitness of Keiren Westwood (via Leeds Live) the manager has a serious decision to make in the goalkeeping department.
Massimo Luongo limping off in the club’s victory over Stoke on Tuesday could present another dilemma, although the Australian international has reportedly passed a fitness test ahead of the Yorkshire derby.
Here is a potential Sheffield Wednesday line-up for the Championship clash against Leeds.
Monk’s main decision will centre on the return to fitness of Westwood, with the deputising Cameron Dawson having performed well in his absence, conceding just one goal in the club’s last two league fixtures.
The Sheffield Wednesday boss is likely to give Westwood a starting berth, particularly given the importance of the fixture in the context of Wednesday’s ambitions for promotion in the current campaign.
Elsewhere, the back-four of Morgan Fox, Dominic Iorfa, Julian Borner and Liam Palmer are likely to start for the Owls, although in midfield Monk also faces a dilemma.
Luongo did depart the field injured against Stoke, though prior to leaving he scored the game’s only goal that ensured victory for Monk’s side.
Whilst Monk will be looking for a fully-fit squad capable of rising to the occasion, Luongo has scored two goals so far this season and the Owls boss should opt to start the midfielder considering that form – if he’s indeed fit enough to be involved from the off.
Up front, Steven Fletcher – who is the club’s leading scorer so far this season with five league goals – will be accompanied by Fernando Forestieri, with the duo aiming to cause trouble to a Leeds’ defence.
This is likely to be a fiery Yorkshire derby.
