Sheffield Wednesday v Blackpool: Confidence is oozing under Irvine insists Owls star Varney

The Owls start a sequence of three consecutive home games with the visit of Blackpool tonight having won four games out of six under Irvine to move two points clear of the Championship relegation zone.

Although the Owls lost to Nottingham Forest at the weekend, Varney believes it will not destroy the team's growing confidence.

"We were gutted to lose at Forest but that is a good mentality to have," he said. "Before, we were just losing and saying 'here we go again'.

"Confidence is oozing through the squad now and we believe we can get results anywhere.

"We are hungry for success now and just want to get on with the next game."

Blackpool manager Ian Holloway has axed three of his players for tonight's game at Hillsborough following a breach of club discipline.

Midfielders Barry Bannan and Ishmel Demontagnac and defender Neal Eardley were all spotted in a Blackpool nightclub just hours after the club's weekend home defeat to Leicester City.

Holloway said: "Do they think the time they got in is acceptable – especially when they had training or treatment on Sunday morning? We are professionals and going out in the town after a defeat is not a professional thing to do."

Blackpool will also be without influential midfielder Charlie Adam who is suspended.

Owls manager Irvine is likely to name an unchanged side with Jermaine Johnson, Lewis Buxton, Francis Jeffers and Tommy Miller still out injured.

Last six games: Owls WWWLWL, Blackpool DLWDLL.

Last time: Owls 1 Blackpool 1; December 26, 2008; Championship.

Referee: G Eltringham (Tyne and Wear).