sport

SODJE MISSING FOR WEDNESDAY

Sodje - sidelined

Sheffield Wednesday will be without injury-prone striker Akpo Sodje for their home clash with Coventry.

Sodje tore his hamstring last week at Derby where he made his first start since the opening-day win over Burnley.

But Owls manager Brian Laws still has four strikers to choose from.

Francis Jeffers staked his claim for a starting berth with a goal for the reserves in midweek, while Leon Clarke, Marcus Tudgay and Deon Burton are all vying for places.

Laws will also be without defender Tommy Spurr, who is struggling with a dead leg sustained at Derby and winger Wade Small is rated 50/50 due to the hamstring that kept him out last week.

But Laws is hopeful defender Peter Gilbert and winger Etienne Esajas (both Achilles) will return to the squad and on-loan Chelsea midfielder Jimmy Smith is available again following a four-game ban.

Aron Gunnarsson is suspended for Coventry so Guillaume Beuzelin will be recalled in midfield.

Gunnarsson collected his fifth yellow card of the season in the home defeat to Plymouth and must serve a one-match ban.

The Icelander may have missed out anyway after suffering a broken wrist following a collision with Argyle defender Mathias Doumbe.

Beuzelin has had a bout of illness but Sky Blues boss Chris Coleman has no doubts about the Frenchman's quality.

"He has got a bit of craft - which is what we have been missing - and he sees a pass that most of our players don't," said Coleman. "He has been carrying a bug, but hopefully with a bit more rest he will be ready to go again on Saturday."

Leon McKenzie's recovery from a thigh strain is ahead of schedule and the striker is hoping to be back in first-team contention for the game against Reading at the Madejski Stadium on December 1.