Scunthorpe United v Sheffield Wednesday: Owls are no longer bigger club than the Iron – Weaver

The Owls have never played in a lower division than the Iron until now due to last season's relegation.

Goalkeeper Weaver hopes 'normal service' will soon be resumed but, for now, says the Owls just have to accept the role as 'underdogs.'

"It is unusual to think that Scunthorpe are in a division higher but that's how it is and we have got to get used to it," he said.

"We are going into this game as underdogs and it will be a bit of a scalp if we can come away with a win."

Scunthorpe returned to the second tier of English football in 2007 after a 43-year absence and, although initially relegated, bounced back and survived last season.

The Owls spent the majority of the Eighties and Nineties in the top flight but have been handicapped by massive debts since relegation from the Premier League in the summer of 2000. They were relegated last season and finished five points below tonight's opponents.

Weaver, 31, has kept three clean sheets in four games after joining his home-town club as a replacement for Lee Grant, who was sold to Burnley.

Weaver's one-year deal will automatically be extended for another 12 months if the Owls win promotion.

"I don't want this to be a flying visit – I want it to be a lot longer," he said yesterday.

"I would love to finish my career here if possible. If we go up, an automatic year kicks in, if we don't, I suppose it's up to the manager."

With eight days to go before the close of the transfer window, Owls manager Alan Irvine is keen to increase competition in defence but, of greater concern to him, is the possibility of player sales.

Striker Marcus Tudgay is the most likely target for clubs in the Championship but Irvine says the player has expressed no desire to leave and has been impressive on the field.

"I know people have looked at the situation, before I came in, and thought Marcus wanted to get away from the club and had not really given everything but I can't say I have seen that," said Irvine.

"He has applied himself extremely well in training, done everything that has been asked, and is a very important player for us. Throughout the speculation, Marcus has not once knocked on my door and said 'I want to move'."

Irvine says progress in the Carling Cup is unlikely to bolster his own transfer kitty due to on-going pressure to balance the books at Hillsborough.

"Financially, it's more important for the board than me, personally. I don't imagine it will make any difference in terms of me suddenly having money to spend!"

Irvine has rubbished reports that he wanted to sign former Everton youngster Antony Gerrard on loan from Cardiff City.

Last six games: Scunthorpe LDWWLL, Sheffield Wednesday.

Referee: K Hill (Hertfordshire).

Last time: Scunthorpe 2 Sheffield Wednesday 0; January 27, 2010, Championship.