Sheffield Wednesday manager Stuart Gray will be hoping that the added spice of a South Yorkshire derby is enough to inspire his side to end their recent poor run of form in the Championship.

The Owls go into Saturday's clash with local rivals Rotherham United on the back of an eight-match winless streak in the league that has seen them slump down into the bottom half.

They are now without a win since September, and ended a run of three straight draws by losing 2-0 at home to in-form Bournemouth on Tuesday.

Perhaps the most worrying thing for Gray will be the lack of goals from his side. They have found the back of the net just once in their last five outings and only four times in their last nine matches in all competitions.

Indeed, with just 12 goals from their 16 league matches this season, only bottom-of-the-table Blackpool have scored fewer than Wednesday in the current campaign.

However, they have also only conceded 14 goals so far, a tally that only high-flying Middlesbrough can better in the second tier.

Strangely, it has been at home where the Owls have had the most trouble. Only Blackpool have picked up fewer points in front of their own fans than Wednesday's seven this season, while their tally of three home goals is the worst in the division.

They have not scored in any of their last three matches at Hillsborough, while their winless streak at home now stretches to four games.

Summer signing Stevie May could come in as Gray attempts to rectify that, but Royston Drenthe will play no part having been sent off in midweek. Joe Mattock is also out due to an ankle injury, with the full-back expected to miss six weeks.

Rotherham, meanwhile, will have one eye cast firmly over their shoulders as they get drawn ever closer to the relegation zone.

They are now just two points clear of the bottom three following a run of four games without a win, including consecutive 3-0 defeats against Middlesbrough and Reading respectively.

Their last win actually came in a Yorkshire derby as they edged to a 2-1 victory over Leeds United last month, but since then they have amassed just two points from a possible 12.

Away from home they are now without a win in seven matches in all competitions and have won just once on their travels all season.

Alex Revell and Kirk Broadfoot are both doubts for the visitors, while Jordan Bowery remains suspended having picked up a red card last weekend.

Recent form

Sheff Weds: LDDDLD

Rotherham: LLDDWD

Possible starting lineups

Sheff Weds: Westwood; Palmer, Loovens, Lees, Helan; Maguire, Lee, Semedo, Maghoma; May, Nuhiu

Rotherham: Collin; Richardson, Morgan, Arnason, Skarz; Taylor, Frecklington, Green, Pringle; Revell, Derbyshire

Sports Mole says: 0-0