Owls bad boy Fernando Forestieri returns as Wednesday make their first ever trip to the Pirelli Stadium.
Burton lineup: McLaughlin; Mousinho, McFadzean, Turner, Naylor, Palmer, Irvine, Akins, Dyer, O’Grady, Beavon.
Subs: Bywater, Flanagan, Williamson, Butcher, McCrory, Choudhury, Harness.
Wednesday lineup: Westwood; Hunt, Semedo, Hutchinson, Pudil; Wallace, Lee, Bannan, Abdi; Fletcher, Hooper.
Subs: Wildsmith, Palmer, Joao, Buckley, Vermijl, Nuhiu, Forestieri.
It has been a turbulent few days for Sheffield Wednesday, whose talisman Fernando Forestieri refused to play in Saturday’s draw at Norwich City amid reported interest from elsewhere.
The suggestion that Forestieri wanted to leave was later denied by his agent on Twitter and the Italian apologised for his actions two days after and once again, via the club’s official website on Tuesday.
Owls’ chairman Dejphon Chansiri later issued a statement of his own, pleading with fans to forgive Forestieri, who had been an overwhelming hit with the Hillsborough faithful since arriving from Watford 12 months ago.
While their response remains to be seen, Forestieri appears to have been forgiven by head coach Carlos Carvalhal, who restores him to his squad against Burton Albion – if only as a sub.
The Portuguese makes two changes overall, with Steven Fletcher replacing Lucas Joao in attack and Jose Semedo replacing the absent Tom Lees in defence.
Burton manager Nigel Clough also makes two changes following Saturday’s narrow defeat to Bristol City, with Tom Flanagan and Lee Williamson replaced by Tom Naylor and Stuart Beavon, who partners ex-Owls striker Chris O’Grady.
The two teams meet for the very first time at the Pirelli Stadium, having experienced contrasting starts to the new Championship season – Wednesday taking four points from six and Burton yet to get off the mark.
The Brewers will no doubt be encouraged by visitors’ record away to newly promoted sides last season. It read: P3 L3.
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