Scunthorpe v Sheff Wed preview

Irvine: Turnaround

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Scunthorpe host Sheffield Wednesday in a crucial match at the bottom of the Championship on Wednesday.

Fresh from their brave FA Cup exploits at the weekend against Manchester City the Iron will have to quickly turn their attention back to the league, after results on Tuesday dragged them closer to the relegation places.

With third bottom Plymouth defeating fellow strugglers Derby at Home Park, Scunthorpe now find themselves just three points from the drop zone.

Meanwhile Wednesday appear rejuvenated under new manager Alan Irvine. Having been dismissed, rather harshly, by Preston, Irvine was out of the game for just over a week before the Owls came calling.

Three wins out of three has seen the former Everton number two drastically turn things around at Hillsborough and he will be looking for more of the same at Glanford Park, with Wednesday still only a point better off than Scunthorpe.

Iron news

Scunthorpe manager Nigel Adkins will have new signing Donal McDermott available for the clash having signed on loan for the rest of the season from Man City.

There are no fresh injury worries for Adkins' squad following Sunday's 4-2 Cup defeat to City.

Josh Wright, back on the bench against Roberto Mancini's men, could return to the starting line-up, but Michael O'Connor serves the final game of a two-match ban after reaching 10 bookings for the season.

Midfielder Andrew Wright is doubtful with the ankle injury that sidelined him at the weekend.

Owls news

Irvine has no fresh injury or suspension concerns ahead of his in-form side's trip to Scunthorpe.

Midfielder Tom Soares is waiting for Premier League clearance, but is expected to keep his place after extending his loan from Stoke, while defender Darren Purse is also in the frame despite missing training on Tuesday with an ankle knock.

Striker Francis Jeffers could return and is likely to take a place on the bench having resumed training following a hamstring strain, although fellow forward Jermaine Johnson is unavailable after being ruled out for six weeks with a similar injury.