Tudgay still confident of getting back on goal trail

Jamaican international Johnson has been out of action for nearly six weeks after tearing a hamstring while Jeffers (hamstring) has been out for two months and has not yet played for new manager Alan Irvine.

The duo's return will provide much-needed competition in attack for the Owls who have been down to just three fully-fit strikers over the last few weeks

Striker Marcus Tudgay, who has found the net in just one of his last 19 starts, has shouldered some of the blame for the club's recent results.

The Owls have lost three out of the last four and are now only a point above the relegation zone.

"As strikers, we have not been putting the ball into the back of the net when we have had the chances," admitted Tudgay.

"People keep asking me when am I going to score again but I have not lost my confidence and know that if I keep working hard the goals will come again."

Reading are only a point ahead of the Owls in the Championship table and booked a place in the FA Cup quarter-finals on Wednesday night by beating West Brom in extra time.

Tudgay believes that could take a toll on Reading's players tomorrow in a game which he has dubbed a 'six-pointer'.

"They are going to be feeling it after playing so long on Wednesday night so we have to play at a high tempo and get at them," he said.

The Owls have suffered back-to-back defeats against Doncaster Rovers and Ipswich Town at Hillsborough but now play four of their next five games on the road.

"It might be what we need to settle things down and kick on again," admitted Tudgay, referring to the added pressures on the Owls at home.

The Owls lost 6-0 at the Madejski Stadium last season after club officials refused to sanction an overnight stay and the team bus was delayed for several hours in motorway congestion.

Tudgay said: "We are going down on Friday this time – so that is good preparation.

"Some people blamed the preparation last season, some people can deal with that, and some use it as an excuse or not. I just want to get there, put it right and get three points. We lost 6-0 last time and this time we want to win 6-1."