Owls eye double to delay the Foxes’ celebrations

Nigel Pearson’s Foxes are just two wins away from the Premier League but could seal promotion this weekend if they beat the Owls and third-placed QPR lose at Bournemouth.

Wednesday have pressing issues of their own with Gray – absent from last Saturday’s 4-1 home loss to Watford due to his son’s wedding – demanding an instant response, with the visitors also having the incentive of becoming the first side to do the double over the classy East Midlanders this term.

Head coach Gray, whose side beat Leicester at Hillsborough in his first game in charge on December 3, said: “One thing I do know is that against Leicester, we will be more competitive and in their faces.

“It’s a great challenge. We are definitely going to the champions of the Championship and want to maybe spoil their party.”

Striker Leon Best has echoed the thoughts of Gray, with the Nottingham-born frontman seeing no reason why Wednesday can not become the first side to triumph in the league at the Kingpower Stadium since November 9 – citing the Owls’ recent home win over QPR as the inspiration.

An impending celebration on the personal front is in the offing for Best, with his partner expecting twins shortly, and he is eyeing more good fortune at Leicester tonight.

He said: “The lads should be up for it. In this league, it has been shown you should never go anywhere fearing anyone. You should always believe you can beat anyone, when are all human and professional footballers.

“If we play well on the day, anything can happen as we showed when beating QPR. I don’t think a lot of people thought we’d win 3-0.”

Meanwhile, the striker has revealed not given up hope of a recall to the Republic of Ireland squad after being frozen out under previous manager Giovanni Trappatoni after attending the birth of his first son.

Last six games: Leicester WWDDWD; Sheffield Wednesday LWWLWL.

Last time: Leicester 0 Sheffield Wednesday 1; March 9, 2013; Championship.

Referee: G Scott (Oxon).