Sheffield Wednesday go up against Cardiff City in the FA Cup this weekend.
Sheffield Wednesday take a break from Championship action after a congested festive period.
The Owls played eight games in December and claimed five wins from those eight games; 15 points from a possible 24 to leave the club just three points from safety.
Last time out, Danny Rohl‘s side beat Yorkshire rivals Hull City 3-1, and this weekend they face Cardiff City in the FA Cup Third Round at Hillsborough.
The two teams met at Hillsborough last month. Wednesday were in cruise control but ended up losing a one-goal lead, then losing the game 2-1.
But Rohl is likely to make changes to his side this weekend and here are nine changes he could make to the XI that faced Hull City…
Joey Phuthi in line for Sheffield Wednesday debut
The likeliest debutant vs Cardiff City seems to be Joey Phuthi.
The 18-year-old wideman made his debut as a late substitute away at Coventry City and has been on the bench for the last two.
Gui Siqueira
Along with Phuthi, Brazilian full-back Siqueira, who joined in the summer after a successful trial period, has been on the bench of late.
He’s been an unused substitute in the last three and looks poised to feature vs Cardiff, potentially starting.
Pierce Charles
Charles currently plays for the Owls’ U21s side as well as Northern Ireland’s U19s.
He’s yet to make his first-team debut for Sheffield Wednesday but he could be in line for a surprise start this weekend, with Cameron Dawson unlikely to start and Rohl perhaps likely to favour academy man Charles over loan goalkeeper Devis Vasquez.
Mallik Wilks
The attacker has started just once under Rohl, with three other substitute appearances to his name.
With Rohl likely to rest the likes of Anthony Musaba and Djeidi Gassama, Wilks could be given a chance to show what he can do.
Ashley Fletcher
Fletcher has been a regular in-game change for Rohl. He’s featured in 10 of the last 12 but has only started the one, and he impressed in the last outing, grabbing the assist for Marvin Johnson’s opener.
He too could be given a chance to impress the Sheffield Wednesday boss this weekend.
Tyreeq Bakinson
Bakinson is tipped to leave this month but Rohl may want one final look at what the 25-year-old can offer in midfield, especially after the recent exit of John Buckley.
Momo Diaby
Caution will be taken with Diaby’s return after several months on the sidelines. But he made his highly-anticipated return vs Hull last time out and reminded fans of his ability, and if he’s fit enough then Rohl could give him an hour or so this weekend.
Michael Smith
Smith, like Diaby, has been on the sidelines for a while with appears to have been a persistent, niggling injury.
But he played 20 minutes against Hull upon his return to the squad and he too could be given some much-needed game time against Cardiff.
Reece James
James has been a bit of a talking point under Rohl.
He’s started just twice under the German, with three total appearances, but he’s not featured since the 4-0 defeat at home to Millwall back in November.
With full-backs thin in the ground at Sheffield Wednesday and rotation expected, James could be brought in to give the likes of Johnson a rest.