Sheffield Wednesday v Doncaster Rovers: Sharp has Owls in sights yet again for Doncaster

The self-confessed Sheffield United fan – who once rejected a move to the blue half of the city in favour of a switch to the Blades – was the match-winner when the sides met at the Keepmoat Stadium back in December.

His late header was one of the last acts of Brian Laws's Hillsbrough reign, with the now Burnley manager losing his job as Wednesday chief following the subsequent 3-0 defeat at Leicester City.

Wednesday are a much different proposition under Alan Irvine, who has brought more organisation and resolve to a side that has won five games in seven since the Scot took over.

But Sharp, who is on loan with Rovers from his boyhood team United, aims to further dent Wednesday's survival bid.

"This is the game that I look forward to," said the 24-year-old who has scored 12 goals in a loan spell which has given him a new lease of life.

"I scored the goal which saw us beat them 1-0 at home and I'd settle for that again.

"I've never started a game at Hillsborough and I'm sure that I will get some stick from the Wednesday fans but that will help me. The more stick the better for me.

"I know it's all banter from them, but it shows that I'm doing well, so hopefully I'll get a lot of stick."

Sharp's 12th goal of the season earned Rovers a 1-0 win over promotion-chasing Nottingham Forest at the weekend, a game watched by Owls manager Irvine.

"He's been a great signing for them," he acknowledged. "Billy gives them an option of someone who wants to run in behind, his movement's very good and obviously his finishing is very good.

"He took his goal really well at the weekend. He doesn't get many headers but was in a good position and works hard to get in between the posts."

Irvine – who could name the same side that defeated Blackpool last Tuesday – was keen to point out that Sean O'Driscoll has built a team which poses a lot more threats than just through their leading goalscorer.

"I've seen quite a lot of them and we know they're a very good football team," said the former Preston manager.

"They have midfield players that are very comfortable on the ball, their full-backs get forward, they have good movement, good rotation, and a lot of nice footballers.

"It's important that you keep your shape when they are in possession of the ball. If you end up losing your shape then there will be holes all over the place for them to exploit.

"It's vitally important that the players are very compact when we don't have possession."

Wednesday had a day off last Saturday as their scheduled Championship opponents West Bromwich Albion were in

FA Cup fifth-round action.

A mixed bag of results, and Reading's inactivity as they faced the Baggies, saw the Owls remain two points above the bottom three and Irvine grateful for the upturn in results since his arrival.

"It is going to require a high total in order to avoid relegation," said Irvine, who upon taking over targeted 11 wins from the remaining 23 games to drag Wednesday out of the bottom three.

"I shudder to think where we would be if we had lost five out of seven.

"We've had to win those games just to keep in touch with the teams around us.

"You can win home and away in this division and you can lose home and away. It's very diffciult to predict where you're going to get your points.

"I tried it once in the past and got it badly wrong, not in terms necessarily of number of points, but where you get them. The Championship is so unpredictable in terms of results," he added.

Doncaster yesterday signed Coventry City defender Elliott Ward on a month-long loan to provide cover for Jason Shackell, who aggravated a groin injury in the win over Forest, and Shelton Martin (hamstring).

James O'Connor is also doubtful, leaving Sam Hird as the club's only fit central defender.

Last six games: Wednesday WWLWLW, Rovers LLLLDW.

Last time: Wednesday 1 Rovers 0; November 8, 2008; Championship.

Referee: E Ilderton (Tyne & Wear).