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It is the moment of truth. The formula is simple for Sheffield Wednesday – three points against Portsmouth today will guarantee play-off qualification.
Draw or lose and the Owls will be anxiously looking over their shoulders. Skipper Barry Bannan said: “I want to make sure I will come off the pitch with no regrets, knowing I couldn’t have done any more, and it’s the same for the rest of the boys in the changing room.
“The aim has been to keep it in our hands and that’s what we have managed. Performances have been strong although one or two results haven’t always gone our way.”
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A raft of injuries to key players has hindered Wednesday in their quest to bounce back to the Championship at the first time of asking. Moore was forced to field a makeshift back three of Liam Palmer, Callum Paterson and Marvin Johnson the last time the Owls went toe-to-toe with Portsmouth back in December.
But things have considerably improved on the injury front in recent weeks and months. Defenders Dominic Iorfa and Ciaran Brennan and Arsenal loanee Tyreece John-Jules are the only players definitely ruled out of today’s play-off decider.
Talented forward Josh Windass is available for selection again, having made a successful return to action as a second half substitute in Tuesday’s win at Fleetwood Town. Could he partner 15-goal leading marksman Lee Gregory in attack?
“I am not sure he is ready to start yet,” Moore told the media. “He has had a good solid week’s training and a good half an hour at Fleetwood. We are pleased to have him back.
“It is great to have somebody of Josh’s ilk and quality. We all know the goal threat he carries. He had a couple of half-chances against Fleetwood where he was probably a little ring rusty.
“I have got no doubt that the more he gets himself into those positions that he will get the right contact on the ball and we may end seeing it in the back of the net.”
With Windass likely to be on the bench, it leaves Saido Berahino and Callum Paterson vying to partner Gregory up front. Paterson started at Highbury Stadium.
Today’s clash gets under way at 12:30pm in front of a sell-out crowd. Wednesdayites have been urged to arrive early to the ground to “avoid unnecessary queuing times”.
Full Owls squad to face Portsmouth
Goalkeepers – Bailey Peacock-Farrell, Joe Wildsmith, Josh Render.
Defenders – Jack Hunt, Sam Hutchinson, Lewis Gibson, Chey Dunkley, Jordan Storey, Harlee Dean, Liam Palmer.
Midfielders – Barry Bannan, Massimo Luongo, Dennis Adeniran, George Byers, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Olamide Shodipo, Marvin Johnson, Nathaniel Mendez-Laing.
Forwards – Lee Gregory, Saido Berahino, Florian Kamberi, Callum Paterson, Josh Windass.
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