The long wait for football to return is over this weekend as Sheffield Wednesday host Nottingham Forest.
It will be the Owls’ first Championship fixture in 105 days due to the Coronavirus pandemic as football in the Championship resumes.
Garry Monk and the squad have had four weeks in various phases back on the training pitches at Middlewood Road and at Hillsborough for practise matches in preparation for the resumption.
Here’s what you need to know ahead of the game in our detailed match preview:
iFollow – STAY HOME, TUNE IN!
Sheffield Wednesday are encouraging supporters to stay away and tune in to all remaining 2019/20 matches from home with fans given unprecedented access to live games on Sky Sports and iFollow.
For non-Season Ticket holders, iFollow will be live streaming the remaining fixtures of the 2019/20 campaign with the exception of those selected for Sky Sports coverage.
This weekend’s clash against Forest kick-starts the run-in on iFollow and match passes are available by CLICKING HERE, priced at £10.
For Season Ticket holders who have selected the iFollow bundle, ALL remaining fixtures of the campaign will be streamed on iFollow, including those selected for live Sky Sports broadcast.
For full details, including activating promo codes CLICK HERE.
TEMPORARY RULE CHANGES
Substitutions
The number of substitutes used during a match which will increase from three to five players, with the matchday squad increasing to 20.
• Each team will have a maximum of three opportunities to make substitutions
• If both teams make a substitution at the same time, this will count as one of the three opportunities for each team.
• In a normal 90 minute fixture, once all three opportunities have been used, no further substitutions can be made.
Walkout protocol
• Players and match official entry will be staggered onto the pitch.
• There will be no handshakes. Players to take up on pitch positions in the same half as they warmed up ready for kick off.
Pre-match
NOT TODAY OR ANY DAY
The EFL will stand together in solidarity against racial discrimination through a powerful online video campaign to say we don’t and will not accept prejudice, not today or any day.
Players returning to play this week will take part in the videos that will be issued across multiple platforms, to demand more inclusion, respect and equality and offer support to our colleagues, friends and members of the wider community who continue to be subjected to unacceptable forms of discrimination.
EFL TO TRIBUTE THE NHS
Clubs will come together this weekend to recognise the brave efforts of our NHS key workers who have continued to support our wider communities throughout the Coronavirus pandemic.
Players from across the three divisions will wear shirts featuring an ‘NHS Rainbow – Thank You’ emblem and a period of applause will take place prior to all matches
OWLS MEGASTORE
The Owls are reminding supporters that the Ticket Office, Megastore and Meadowhall store remain closed until further notice.
TEAM NEWS
SWFC: Steven Fletcher is available for the Owls after shrugging off a minor injury sustained in training last week.
The club’s top scorer returned to training this week with no problems.
The only injury concerns for Monk are loanee Josh Windass and striker Sam Winnall, who look set to miss out.
Windass will be assessed by the end of the month before a decision is made regarding the extension of his loan from Wigan.
Nottingham Forest: The suspension of football for the past three months has given time for players to return from injury.
Tiago Silva was unavailable before pandemic took hold after suffering appendicitis while fellow midfielder Samba Sow (knee) has not featured since February.
But along with striker Nuno Da Costa, Silva and Sow are available for selection.
FORM
Owls: DWLLL
Forest: DDWDL
TOP SCORERS
Steven Fletcher: 13 goals
Lewis Grabban: 17 goals
LAST MEETING – 14 December 2019
LAST FIVE V FOREST
Forest 0-4 Owls - 14 December 2019 - Championship
Owls 3-0 Forest - 9 April 2019 - Championship
Forest 2-1 Owls – 19 September 2018 – Championship
Forest 0-3 Owls - 26 December 2017 – Championship
Owls 3-1 Forest - 9 September 2017 – Championship