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Owls v Rams – Preview

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Sheffield Wednesday v Derby County

FA Cup Third Round Replay
Tuesday, 15th January 2008, 19.45pm
Hillsborough


The Rams came back from the dead in the first encounter of the FA Cup third round tie against Sheffield Wednesday, and they hope to finish the job off tonight in the replay at Hillsborough.

They found themselves 0-2 down after 20 minutes at Pride Park courtesy of goals from Mark Beevers and former Rams striker Marcus Tudgay. Kenny Miller and Giles Barnes levelled things up before half time but the Rams didn`t covert their chances in the second half and Wednesday earned the replay.

Saying that the Rams are in a poor shape in the Premier League is probably the under-statement of the year, but a victory tonight will lift the spirits in the camp and on the terraces.

Paul Jewell will have to do without four of his new signings for the game with Robbie Savage, Hossam Ghaly, Laurent Robert and Emanuel Villa all cup-tied.

Robert Earnshaw is fit again and could get a long awaited start for the Rams, the clubs record signing has struggled but will hope for a lengthy run in the side and an impressive performance tonight will give Jewell food for thought.

He could be joined up front by Kenny Miller, the Scotsman missed the Rams 0-1 loss at home to Wigan on Saturday with a groin injury and he could be rushed back by Jewell but he is only rated at 50/50.
The Rams will also be missing Claude Davis after he was sent off against Wigan, leaving their squad threadbare.

The Rams will have another big following at Hillsborough with the 3,600 tickets almost sold out. The club have only 200 tickets available for the game and they are on sale today and are expected to go quickly.

The Owls have doubts over Francis Jeffers, Akpo Sodje, who both have ankle injuries and missed Wednesday`s 0-1 loss against Cardiff City on Saturday. Steve Watson left the pitch at half time at Cardiff and is doubtful with an injured toe.

Also out of the side is Ronnie Wallwork, who is cup-tied and Frank Simek with an ankle injury.

The fourth round is certain to be without at least eight Premier League teams and with a home tie against Preston a week on Saturday awaiting the winners of tonight`s clash, Rams assistant boss Stan Ternent is desperate to ensure the Rams do not add to Premier League casualties.

Ternent said: ‘It’s a level playing field again tomorrow the tie has to be finished. The manager has picked his team, we have done some work today and we will finalise that tomorrow.

‘We will go up there and they will be well prepared as they always are and if our name is on it then we will be at Pride Park against Preston and we will be doing our best to make sure that happens.’

Ternant added: ‘For the boss and I it’s been rather depressing.

‘The fans have been fantastic, the players are giving their best but we have another chance to put it right so hopefully we can progress into the next round.

‘A win is a win and we need a win. Apart from Manchester United, in the eight or nine games we have been here all the matches we have played we have been beaten by one goal, so we are close.

‘Whether it’s the rub of the green, whether we’re going to take our chances, whether it’s the confidence with the players, sooner or later we are going to win a game.’

Let`s hope its tonight Stan!!!!!!

Squads
Derby
(from): Price, Mills, Johnson, Barnes, Mears, Moore, Feilhaber, Holmes, Teale, Lewis, Miller, Fagan, Macken, Nyatanga, Hinchliffe,

Sheffield Wednesday (from): Grant, Bullen, Hinds, Beevers, Spurr, Watson, Johnson, Whelan, Folly, O`Brien, Sodje, Burton, Esajas, Tudgay, Jeffers, Gilbert, Lunt, Wood, Small.

Referee: Chris Foy (Merseyside)

Winners at home to Preston North End in fourth round

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