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Lines hoping to prove worth in Spireites clash
A TRIP to Chesterfield might not sound like a great alternative to a fifth-round FA Cup tie at Everton but, according to Chris Lines, it is ‘miles more important’ to Sheffield Wednesday.
The Owls would have been heading to Goodison Park instead of the B2Net Stadium next weekend, but for Tuesday night’s defeat against Championship side Blackpool.
A fixture against one of the Premier League’s most established clubs, watched by 30,000 supporters, would have been a memorable occasion but, ultimately, it is winning promotion that matters.
Lines, who has already moved up in the footballing world this season by leaving hometown club Bristol Rovers, is fully aware of that fact.
The Owls are second in League One with their destiny in their own hands.
“It would have been great to go to Everton because it is a great stadium, but that is not happening now so we have to forget about that and bounce back,” Lines stressed. “Beating Chesterfield is miles more important. The league is our main aim this season and that takes priority over any Cup competition.”
Lines, 26, won a recall against Blackpool as manager Gary Megson made seven changes but, with competition for places at a seasonal high, he may find himself back on the bench against Exeter City this weekend.
“I was playing in League Two a few months ago and now I am playing at a club with 25,000 fans every home game,” he reflected.
“It has been a massive step up and I am happy that I have played a lot of games already this season. I am not one to moan and I will respect whatever the manager does or says,” he added.
“But, of course, I want to play week-in, week-out so I work hard in training and when I get my chance on the field I will try to get my shirt back.”
Winger Jermaine Johnson, is set to return to the side against Exeter after being rested, but defender Reda Johnson will miss the next two games after his 10th booking of the season.
“I am not concerned about his discipline,” said Megson. “He’s only 21 and has not played a huge amount of football.
“Some of the stuff he does at times is reckless – not in a nasty way – he just sees the ball and goes careering in. Because of his size and physique, people tend to bounce off him.”
Swansea midfielder Ferrie Bodde has snapped cruciate knee ligaments ending talk of a possible loan move to the Owls.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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