Preston North End v Sheffield Wednesday: Purse backs Irvine to enjoy winning return

The Owls pulled out of the Championship relegation zone with Saturday's draw against high-flying Swansea and Purse admits confidence is soaring after recent displays.

In response to the 5-0 hammering at Reading, Alan Irvine's side have also defeated Leicester and were only narrowly edged out by the Foxes' fellow promotion-chasers West Bromwich Albion.

Purse said: "We've had to face three really tough away games.

"West Brom, Swansea and Preston are all tough places to go but confidence is buzzing around this club at the moment and we're looking to get a positive result.

"Hopefully, that will be three points and if that happens, it will be a great platform for us to build on with two games at home to come."

Derby and Watford are the next visitors to Hillsborough and Purse admitted: "We've had a reaction since the Reading defeat.

"We sat down and discussed it and have come out with three really good performances.

"We probably didn't get the result we deserved at West Brom but the other two, we deserved what we got and maybe should have come away unbeaten from all three of those matches."

Sean McAllister (stomach) misses a second successive game as Irvine returns to the club which sacked him last year for the first time.

Last six games: Preston North End LLWDDW, Sheffield Wednesday LLLWLD.

Referee: C Boyeson (East Yorkshire).

Last time: Preston North End 1 Sheffield Wednesday 1; March 10, 2009; Championship.