Sheffield Wednesday manager Jos Luhukay has hinted at wholesale changes as his side travel to the north east for the EFL Cup first round clash.
Wednesday have started the season badly, losing against Wigan on the opening day before snatching a draw against Hull City, but with four games in the next ten days, Luhukay has revealed he'll be using his squad as much as possible.
"We now have four games in 10 days," Luhukay told the Sheffield Star. "It is a very fast turnaround. Every player in this small squad will get chances in the next games that we have. We must look at what is best for the team. We have a small squad so I must make good decisions.”
The Owls have been hindered by a transfer embargo which has ensured they've had no new faces arrive over the summer, meaning the squad is weaker than it was a couple of months ago.
On the opposite team tonight will be Glenn Loovens, one of the first team players who left Hillsborough at the end of the season. he started Sunderland's 1-1 draw against Luton at the weekend and maybe take him place in defence this evening.
Despite the Black Cats relegation, only 13 league place separate them and the Owls, making this one of the more mouth-watering clashes of the first round.
The Verdict
This promises to be a humdinger of a tie, with Sky TV showing the game live, Sunderland will want to put on a good show.
The Owls squad will look weak if Luhukay makes too many changes, so any potential second round tie might be beyond them. They need an injection of cash and a lucrative game against a Premier League high-flyer would be just the tonic.
Another defeat could ramp up the early pressure on the Dutchman.