THE OPPOSITION
Sheffield Wednesday's response to their 12-point deduction over the summer has been impressive to say the least. Five games into the season they have already taken back eight of the points they lost in July after just one defeat in their opening fixtures.
Garry Monk's side have conceded just three times in the Sky Bet Championship this term. They have beaten Cardiff City as well as Monk's former side, Birmingham City, to nil with further points picked up following draws against Watford and QPR. Their only defeat so far this campaign came at Ashton Gate against Bristol City late last month.
In the Carabao Cup they advanced past Walsall and Rochdale, again without conceding, to set up a Third Round tie away at Fulham which they went on to lose 2-0.
The Owls have been very consistent in their team selection so far this campaign, six players, including goalkeeper Cameron Dawson and the influential midfielder pair of Barry Bannan and Massimo Luongo, have started every game.
Wednesday's summer transfer dealings saw them move on the likes of Steven Fletcher, Fernando Forestieri, Sam Winnall, and Morgan Fox with Chey Dunkley, Josh Windass, Callum Paterson, Elias Kachunga, Jack Marriott, Aden Flint, and Izzy Brown all coming in.
TEAM NEWS
Christian Norgaard and Mads Roerslev are both out but Thomas Frank is hoping to have Ivan Toney and Emiliano Marcondes available despite the pair picking up knocks during Saturday's win over Coventry City. Shandon Baptiste is also nearing a return.
For The Owls, Dominic Iorfa (hamstring), Tom Lees (groin), and Liam Shaw (ankle) will all definitely miss out while Izzy Brown (dead leg) and Liam Palmer (back) have a chance of being involved tonight.
THE MANAGER
A central defender during his playing days, Monk began his career with Torquay United before moving on to Southampton in 1996. Following loan spells with Stockport County, Oxford United and Sheffield Wednesday, he joined Barnsley in 2004 on a permanent deal. After making just three appearances for The Tykes, he joined League Two side Swansea City and went on to play in every division for The Swans until they reached the top flight in 2011, the majority of his appearances coming as captain.
Stepping into the dugout, Monk saved Swansea from relegation and took them to the Europa League Round of 32, having taken over from Michael Laudrup in 2014. The following year saw league doubles over both Arsenal and Manchester United as City finished eighth. After a run of one win in 11 games he left Swansea in 2015, ending a 12 year association with the Welsh club. A season-long stay at Leeds United, where he guided The Whites to their highest league finish in six years, and a short spell at Middlesbrough followed before his arrival at Birmingham City in March 2018. After saving Blues from relegation during the first few months of his reign, he led City to a 17th-place finish the following campaign, despite a nine-point deduction. His services were dispensed with in the summer of 2019 ahead of Monk joining The Owls last September, guiding them to 16th last season.
PRE-MATCH VIEWS
⚖ Darren Bond will be the man in charge tonight
🆚 BBC Sheffield's Andy Giddings previews The Owls
THOMAS PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
MEMORABLE MEETING
HOW TO FOLLOW
Tonight's game is live on Sky Sports as well as iFollow for Season Ticket Holders.
Audio Match Passes to listen live from Hillsborough are available to buy for £2.50
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