Sheffield Wednesday manager Alan Irvine has hailed the backing of the Owls' support ahead of the potentially pivotal trip to Cardiff City on Saturday.

Relegation-threatened Wednesday will be backed by another sell-out travelling contingent as they lock horns with a Bluebirds side already assured of a play-off slot.

And Irvine says that Wednesdayites will have a crucial role to play during the last two games of the season, firstly facing Cardiff this weekend and then versus fellow strugglers Crystal Palace at Hillsborough on Sunday week.

He said: "The fans have been brilliant. From the first game since I arrived here, when we went to Barnsley, right through to the Sheffield derby last week at Hillsborough, they have been absolutely fantastic. Our fans are extremely important to us and we need them more than ever over these next two games.

"Cardiff is a noisy place and I would expect that with it being their last league game of the season - albeit with a play-off game to come - they will have a very good crowd who will make a lot of noise. It should be a great atmosphere on Saturday."

The Owls' maiden trip to the Cardiff City Stadium poses a big test for Irvine's side given the two teams' respective positions in the Championship table.

Yet Wednesday have shown significant signs of recovery on the road, turning in a string of excellent displays where results have perhaps not matched performances.

But Irvine acknowledges that, on paper at least, the Owls must be fully on their game if they are to post a positive return in the Welsh capital.

He said: "Cardiff are a good side, they don't consider many goals and they are on a really good run at this moment in time. They have qualified for the play-offs and will be relaxed going into the game because they know that whatever happens, they are going to be in the play-offs.

"Will they have an eye on the play-offs? Yes, of course they will, but at the same time, the players will know that they will have to play well enough to make sure they are selected for them.

"You look around the Championship and what wouldn't be a tricky trip? They are all hard games in this division. I've been working as a manager in the Championship for the last two and a half seasons and I've never gone anywhere where I've though my team is in for an easy game."

The Owls take a near full-strength squad to Cardiff, with only Tommy Miller currently in the treatment room.