Sheffield derby: Purse's derby plans grounded

SHEFFIELD Wednesday captain Darren Purse fears his family could miss tomorrow's Steel City derby due to the cancellation of flights in both England and Wales.

Thousands of travellers have been stranded over the last 48 hours after a massive ash cloud, produced by a volcanic eruption in Iceland, swept across British airspace.

Restrictions could be lifted today but last night Purse was still sweating over the planned return of his wife Lindsay and children from a sunshine break in Portugal.

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"She had gone away for a week and booked a flight back on Saturday afternoon in order to get home for the derby game," said Purse. "She might be struggling now.

"I don't know what's happening," he added.

"I have been on the websites and they could be flying again on Saturday morning. She will be gutted if she misses out and so will my son who has really been looking forward to the game."

Purse, who skippers the Owls against the Blades in tomorrow's clash at Hillsborough, had originally been planning to spend Saturday afternoon relaxing in front of the television.

Instead, he will now be keeping one eye out for details of his family's flight to East Midlands airport.

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With the Owls one point adrift of safety in the Championship relegation zone, Purse is desperate to help his side to victory over the Blades.

He says confidence remains high at Hillsborough and the Owls are determined to stop the Blades securing a league double, following a 3-2 victory at Bramall Lane in September.

"It is a massive, massive game and we owe a performance to our fans after the way we performed in the first half at Bramall Lane," he said.

"If we can get a win over Sheffield United, it makes our job of staying up easier in the last two games."

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After a difficult start to his Owls career, in the wake of a move from Cardiff City last summer, Purse is now on top form and pivotal to the club's chances of survival.

"I don't think we are going to need three wins to stay up," he said.

"But if we can win our remaining two home games (against United and Crystal Palace) that will go a long way to keeping us in the division."