Bolton v Sheffield Wednesday: Owls '˜won't take any risks' with cup selection, says Carvalhal

Carabao Cup is not main competition for Sheffield Wednesday says head coach Carlos Carvalhal (Picture: Steve Ellis).

Despite that, the Portuguese head coach insists ahead of tonight’s second-round tie at Bolton Wanderers that the Owls cannot afford to take any risks in the competition due to his overwhelming priority being making it third time lucky in the Championship this season.

“It is not the main competition,” he said when asked about the trip to the Macron Stadium. “We don’t take risks. We will play a strong team and we will try to go as far as we can, but understanding again the situation.

“We will do our best. The preparation is the same for this game as it was for Fulham. We have prepared for the game, analysed the opponent and try to do our part.

“The little difference is we don’t take risks. We won’t take any risks. We will put out a strong team to do our best in this competition.”

His comments point to multiple changes against Phil Parkinson’s Trotters with Saturday’s league trip to Burton Albion in mind.

Joe Wildsmith will start in goal, while Sam Winnall and Jordan Rhodes are likely to come in up front as the Owls look to build momentum on the back of Saturday’s fine win at Fulham.

“We will play the players that we feel is the strongest to play,” added Carvalhal.

“We have a squad, we believe in all the players and we will choose the best 11 we understand in this moment for the game.”

Last six games: Bolton Wanderers WLWDDL Sheffield Wednesday DLWDDW.

Referee: D Webb (County Durham).

Last time: Bolton Wanderers 0 Sheffield Wednesday 0; September 15, 2015; Championship.