Steve Watson says the only motivation Wednesday players will need for the Newcastle clash on Boxing Day is the enormity of the game itself.

The Owls host the table-topping Magpies locked in a relegation battle and Watson - brought in to assist caretaker manager Sean McAuley - is eagerly anticipating what has all the ingredients for a Christmas cracker.

He told Wednesday Player: "The players won't take any motivating for getting into focus for this game. We've got the best team in the league coming to the stadium, it will be a near full house and live on TV as well. This run has got to end sometime and what a great time it would be on Boxing Day."

Watson, though, is under no illusion over the task facing the Owls as they bid to end both a win and goal drought against his hometown team.

He added: "Newcastle have been fantastic this season. They've won ugly at times, they are maybe not the best footballing side in the division like West Brom or Swansea but they are so effective. They are so strong and seem to be pulling together for the manager.

"I expected them certainly to be up there but I didn't expect them to be so dominant and they are coming here after steamrollering Middlesbrough really, who I also thought would be up there.

"But when we've filled the stadium and have that derby kind of atmosphere, the boys have produced so let's hope that will be the case on Saturday."