Sheffield Wed. vs Derby County preview - Stevie May make Owls debut

Posted Friday, August 15, 2014 by PA

Latest signing Stevie May is poised to make his Sheffield Wednesday debut in their first home league game of the season against Derby.

May, 21, signed from St Johnstone for B#800,000 last weekend, missed the midweek Capital One Cup win against Notts County through suspension but is now available.

Boss Stuart Gray must decide which of his strikers to leave out if he opts to start with May. Gary Madine and Atdhe Nuhiu were both on target on Tuesday night.

Midfielder Jeremy Helan (groin/stomach) is back in contention and Kamil Zayatte (ankle) could make his first start in over nine months, but defender Lewis Buxton and striker Caolan Lavery (both knee) are still out.

Derby head coach Steve McClaren faces a defensive dilemma.

McClaren must choose between Jake Buxton and Zak Whitbread to partner captain Richard Keogh at the heart of the Rams' backline. Whitbread played the full 90 minutes alongside the Republic of Ireland international during Monday night's 2-0 Capital One Cup victory over Carlisle.

Buxton, who started the opening game of the Championship campaign at home to Rotherham despite spending much of the build up nursing a hip injury, was not risked at Brunton Park, having come through the full match against the Millers just 48 hours earlier.

Leon Best and Omar Mascarell will be looking to earn their first starts following their recent arrivals from Blackburn and Real Madrid respectively.