Predicted Sheffield Wednesday XI for Blackpool as Matt Hamshaw faces Liam Cooper decision

Sheffield Wednesday will be looking to halt their three-match winless run when they welcome Blackpool to Hillsborough tomorrow afternoon, kick-off 2pm.

Mason Burstow for the Owls. Image: Alex Young

It is expected to be Matt Hamshaw’s final match in interim charge. The Wednesday Word understands the Owls are keen to appoint a new manager before their FA Cup first round trip to Oldham Athletic on November 8, with Dave Challinor among the candidates in contention to succeed Henrik Pedersen.

Hamshaw will be desperate to sign off his caretaker spell on a winning note and could make changes to the side that were held to a draw by Cambridge United in midweek.

Ashley Maynard-Brewer is expected to continue in goal but there may be a change at centre-back. Liam Cooper, a model of consistency throughout the campaign, is poised to return to the starting XI and partner Ernie Weaver at the heart of Wednesday’s rearguard.

The clash is likely to come too soon for Ricardo Santos (groin) and Di’Shon Bernard (hamstring). A succession of niggly injury problems have limited the summer recruit Santos to just five starts.

“I know Rico is frustrated; I had a chat with him on Friday morning,” he said. “He’s borderline for the weekend and we will have to wait and see on Sunday.

“I know he’s frustrated because, as any player does, you want to play regularly. When Rico has played, he’s done well. When Dish has played, he’s done well.

“I think you could argue Coops [Liam Cooper] has been one of his best players this season so far. They are big players for us.”

The biggest selection may come at left-back. Does Hamshaw stick with Reece James after his industrious and adventurous display against Cambridge or restore Max Lowe? Dropping James would seem harsh given his performance, but Max Lowe remains the Owls’ recognised first-choice option in that position and could be given the nod.

In midfield, Jaden Heskey will hope to return after missing out against Cambridge due to Wednesday’s loan-player restrictions on matchdays. Although Billy Mitchell did not cover himself in glory for Cambridge’s equaliser, the former Millwall man is likely to be paired again with Barry Bannan in the double midfield pivot.

It is not beyond the realms of possibility that Hamshaw will freshen up his wide options. Kieran Morrison is pushing hard for a start and could come in on the right, with Harry Gray shifted to the left. Questions persist over Morrison’s defensive work but there is little doubt about the threat he carries in possession. The Liverpool starlet’s ability to drive at defenders and create something out of nothing gives Wednesday an extra dimension in the final third.

Davis Keillor-Dunn’s place could come under scrutiny after a quiet and ineffective outing on Tuesday. Callum Slattery looks set to keep hold of the No 10 role after producing a moment of genuine quality to set up Mason Burstow’s goal.

Burstow has done enough to earn a second consecutive start. While his finishing let him down at times against Cambridge, he put in a tireless shift and the goal will have done his confidence a power of goal. With Jamal Lowe serving the final game of his three-match suspension and Ali Al-Hamadi yet to make a compelling case of his inclusion, sticking with Burstow feels the obvious call.

Predicted Owls XI vs Blackpool (4-2-3-1): Maynard-Brewer; Valery, Weaver, Cooper, M Lowe; Bannan, Mitchell; Morrison, Slattery, Gray; Burstow.

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