Sheffield Wednesday v Huddersfield Town - Danny Cowley looking for Terriers to secure safety through their own endeavours

In theory, the Owls saved themselves from relegation with Saturday’s impressive 3-0 win over Queens Park Rangers but their 10-point gap to safety could be wiped out when an independent commission reaches its verdict on whether the club breached Football League rules in how and when it sold their ground to owner Dejphon Chansiri, who is now leasing it back.

The league table says the Terriers are two points and two places above the relegation zone, but with Wigan Athletic appealing a 12-point deduction for going into administration, their true position is impossible to assess with only eight days of the season remaining.

Cowley has said all along he wants his team’s fate decided on the pitch, not off it, but it is possible he may not get the choice.

“It’s just out of our control,” he commented. “I believe football should be decided on the grass between the paint, not in a boardroom or a courtroom.

“I genuinely think it’s been hard for the EFL in unprecedented times. Do I think the British Government have handled this situation well? No. Do I think the EFL have handled the situation well? No.

“There’s definitely a lot of learning for them.

“But if I criticise others I’m always cautious that we don’t always know the whole circumstances because we don’t always have the full information. Sometimes if you’re misinformed you can be criticising unfairly.

“From my understanding of the situation, that’s how I feel for sure.

“But I’ve got enough things in my control to worry about so I’ll focus on them. We put all of our attentions and energy into preparing for Sheffield Wednesday, that’s what we’re paid to do.

“I don’t want to be saved through the misfortune of another club that goes into administration or gets points deducted for FFP (financial fair play), that’s not football for me.”

For a long time now, Huddersfield have been threatening to pull away from the relegation battle without doing so. Victory would take them to 50 points, Cowley’s initial target for avoiding relegation although all the off-field complications, not to mention the form of some sides, makes it hard to say for sure if that will suffice.

Their cause was certainly not helped by Friday’s limp 2-0 defeat at home to then-bottom-of-the-table Luton Town. It was the third game running Town failed to score in, and they have only won one of their six post-lockdown matches.

The manner of the performance caused some supporters to question the commitment of his players, but Cowley insists he has no such concerns, having shown in the past he would act if he did.

“Football’s an emotional game,” he said. “Emotion after games, particularly when teams lose, is always high and people will make comments and judgements off the back of that emotion, that’s natural.

“I always try to say it honestly. You can accuse me of many things but you can’t accuse me of not fronting up and telling the truth.

“If I thought the players weren’t trying, I’d be the first to tell you, I can promise you that.

“There are some things for me that are acceptable and some that are completely unacceptable but this group, I promise you, care. They’re trying really hard.

“Maybe one or two are short of a little bit of confidence or rhythm for one reason or another but don’t confuse that with them not trying or caring because I promise you they care. I would never pick anybody who didn’t.

“Don’t forget, this is all of our lives at stake. I wouldn’t pick anyone who I didn’t think cared or had Huddersfield Town at heart. I think you’ve probably seen from my decisions in the past that if I did think that, I wouldn’t pick them, they wouldn’t be anywhere near the group.

“Running around and trying hard is a prerequisite.”

There could be more morale-boosting news for the Owls after ending their three-match losing streak in west London.

Defender Liam Palmer, midfielder Kieran Lee and striker Connor Wickham could all be available for the derby, but may face a fight for their places.

Wickham and Lee trained on Friday but did not feel right to play at Loftus Road but manager Garry Monk is hoping the extra time helps.

On Palmer, Monk explained: “He had a knock. It was bruising, a little bit too painful. Hopefully he will be back.”

Former Sheffield United centre-back Richard Stearman has missed the last two matches after complaining of stiffness following the draw with Preston North End, but Cowley said he was “all right” ahead of tonight’s game.

Last six games: Sheffield Wednesday WLLLWD; Huddersfield Town LDDWLL.

Referee: D Whitestone (Northampton).

Last time: Sheffield Wednesday 1 Huddersfield Town 1 (Huddersfield won 4-3 on penalties), Championship play-off semi-final, May 17, 2017.