Huddersfield v Sheff Wed preview

Posted Monday, January 03, 2011 by skysports.com

Team news for Monday's League One derby between Huddersfield and Sheffield Wednesday at the Galpharm Stadium (12:15pm).

Huddersfield defenders Jamie McCombe and Liam Ridehalgh could return to contention for the home clash with Sheffield Wednesday following illness.

Both players missed the 2-2 draw at Carlisle on New Year's Day, for which manager Lee Clark made four changes following last Tuesday's 4-1 defeat at Southampton.

Latest loan signing Kevin Kilbane made his debut and is expected to continue in midfield, while Joey Gudjonsson and Tom Clarke are also hoping to retain their places alongside him.

Clark has no new injury problems but must decide whether to recall the likes of Anthony Pilkington, Scott Arfield, Gary Roberts, Graham Carey and Jordan Rhodes, who have all dropped out of the starting line-up in the wake of Town's poor recent results.

Sheffield Wednesday manager Alan Irvine will select his side from a virtually full-strength squad for the derby clash with their Yorkshire rivals.

The Owls, whose scheduled game against Peterborough on New Year's Day was postponed, have only defender Lewis Buxton (hamstring) and midfielder Giles Coke (knee) currently on the sidelines.

Irvine must decide whether to make changes to his starting line-up in the wake of their 5-1 defeat at Exeter in their last match, which came on December 18 with the Boxing Day clash with Tranmere also falling victim to the freezing conditions.

Striker Neil Mellor could return to the starting line-up if Irvine opts to change his formation, while defender Richard Hinds, midfielder James O'Connor and striker Paul Heffernan are all pushing for recalls.