Sheffield Wednesday will be without Luke Varney and Jermaine Johnson against fellow strugglers Derby.
Owls without Varney and Johnson, Bywater may be back for Rams
Sheffield Wednesday will be without strike pair Luke Varney and Jermaine Johnson for the visit of fellow strugglers Derby on Saturday.
Varney has scored seven goals in 24 league starts this season on loan from Derby but is unable to face his parent club, while Johnson may have played his last game of the season after being forced off in the midweek draw at Preston with another hamstring injury.
The 29-year-old, a regular for the Owls this season, was sidelined for six weeks in January after pulling his left hamstring and is waiting to learn the severity of the damage to his right leg.
Leon Clarke should come in for Varney and start up front alongside Marcus Tudgay for Wednesday, who are one point above the drop zone and looking to extend their unbeaten run to three league matches.
Manager Alan Irvine could also recall winger Etienne Esajas after the Dutch winger's brace for the reserves in midweek.
Derby news
Derby may welcome back goalkeeper Stephen Bywater, who has missed the last two matches with a back problem.
On-loan Liverpool keeper David Martin has deputised but Bywater is responding well to treatment and boss Nigel Clough is optimistic he can return this Saturday.
Steven Davies missed the 2-2 draw against Middlesbrough in midweek with a tight hamstring and the striker remains doubtful.
Winger Gary Teale continued his recovery from a torn calf muscle with 90 minutes in a behind-closed-doors game this week but will not be risked at Hillsborough.
Middlesbrough's late equaliser in midweek left Derby in 18th place, four points better off than Wednesday.
