The 51-year-old is set to ring the changes to the starting XI, with Wednesday having already secured their place in the last 32 after victories over Salford and Sunderland Under-21s.
Connal Trueman is poised to start in goal after coming off the bench in Sunday’s disappointing FA Cup defeat at Oldham Athletic. With Ashley Maynard-Brewer battling illness at the weekend and involved in a heavy collision with Latics striker Mike Fondop, it would be a surprise if he was risked in effectively a dead rubber. There is a possibility Joe Lumley could return to the matchday squad after missing the last six matches with an elbow injury.
Challinor has already stressed the importance of Saturday’s league showdown with promotion rivals Plymouth Argyle, strongly hinting he will rotate where possible. The problem is his options are limited.
Wednesday’s squad has been stretched by a lengthy injury list and several international call-ups while Sunday’s 120-minute outing at Boundary Park was far from ideal given the quick turnaround.
Competition rules also mean Challinor cannot field an entirely youthful side. Experienced duo Liam Palmer and Max Lowe may therefore be required in the wing back positions.
Centre-half Sil Swinkels is available again after serving a one-match suspension and could slot into a youthful back three alongside Ernie Weaver and Gabriel Otegbayo.
A change in central midfield is on the cards. Barry Bannan is expected to be rested, potentially opening the door ajar for Jarvis Thornton to make a rare start. The game may come too soon for Billy Mitchell while Jaden Heskey and Callum Slattery could be asked to shoulder the workload once again.
It feels like an opportune moment to give George Brown a run-out in attack. Brown, an unused substitute at Oldham, will be keen to make up for lost time, having not played in 11 months. Wednesday are particularly short of attacking options, with Ali Al-Hamadi and Mason Burstow both unavailable through injury. Al-Hamadi and Mitchell are set to step up their recovery from injury this week.
In-form forward Davis Keillor-Dunn could be afforded a well-earned rest and start among the substitutes as Jamal Lowe aims to get back amongst the goals.
A draw or victory would guarantee Wednesday top spot in the group and secure home advantage in the next round.
Predicted Owls XI vs Accrington (3-4-3): Trueman; Weaver, Otegbayo, Swinkels, Palmer, Thornton, Heskey, M Lowe; Slattery, J Lowe, Brown.
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I thought Lumley was a rib injury?
What does it mean when they “step up their recovery” from injury? Back in two weeks?