Purse sets Sheffield Wednesday survival target as Boro loom

The Owls slipped back into the Championship relegation zone on Easter Monday courtesy of Bristol City's smash-and-grab victory.

With Crystal Palace beating Preston North End and Watford claiming a surprise point off second-placed West Bromwich Albion, it added up to a Black Monday for Wednesday.

And captain Purse now believes the club's two remaining games at Hillsborough – against Sheffield United and relegation rivals Palace – must yield six points.

He said: "We were obviously disappointed with how we played against Bristol City and now we are going to have to beat Sheffield United and Crystal Palace to stay up.

"One positive is that we are creating chances and it is only a matter of time before we win by two or three goals.

"I have said before and I will say it again. I believe our strikers will score the goals to keep us up."

Wednesday's run-in is completed with trips to Middlesbrough and promotion-chasing Cardiff City, a daunting schedule that adds weight to Purse's comments about the two remaining home games.

Boro are first up this Saturday and Gordon Strachan's men will be just as desperate for points as Wednesday to keep alive their slim hopes of reaching the play-offs.

Purse added: "Middlesbrough will be a difficult game but, hopefully, we can get that bit of luck that has eluded us recently.

"We need to be strong and resilient. Maybe we can nick a goal like Bristol City did (on Monday)."

Wednesday manager Alan Irvine has a major fitness worry ahead of the trip to the Riverside Stadium over Jermaine Johnson.

The Jamaican winger made an impressive return to the side on Saturday in the draw at QPR after two weeks out.

However, a slight hamstring strain subsequently ruled Johnson out of the Bristol City defeat and Irvine will be hoping the speedy wideman can return against Middlesbrough.