It looks like one of the loan signings will step in to partner Deon Burton if eight-goal top scorer Tudgay is ruled out by a knee injury.
Brian Laws could face a little-or-large dilemma. Showunmi offers height and physical presence, Sahar is smaller and nippy.

Showunmi is also a powerful and quick runner once he gets into his stride; Sahar, yet to make a full debut, is highly mobile and likes to make runs to get into positions where he can employ his powerful shot.

Leon Clarke, too, is available but it seems unlikely that he would be thrown in from the start, especially as he has played less than one full reserve game since his recovery from a cartilage operation.

If Tudgay makes it, then Laws could well field an unchanged side, with Sean McAllister keeping a midfield spot ahead of Adam Bolder, and Frankie Simek and Steve Watson on the bench at best.

Laws, while hoping that Tudgay will be fit, said: "It could be a chance for Ben Sahar. He has overcome his hamstring injury and looks bright and sharp. We also have Enoch Showunmi, who scored two for the reserves, and Leon Clarke, who played for the reserves and looks sharp in training.

Showunmi or Sahar? Which one would should Brian Laws go for? Post your comments below.

"We have options. That can only be good for us."

Francis Jeffers remains out of training after pulling out of a reserve game last week with fresh soreness in his problem ankle.

Laws has not put a estimate on the length of the striker's absence. "We all know that the injury he has had has been horrific. We seem to be taking two steps forward, one back," he said.

"We got him to the stage where he played 35 minutes, then 60, and looked lively. Then he had a bit of discomfort.

"We have stuck very firmly with his recovery programme; if he feels anything, we pull him back and reassess him and speak to the specialist again to make sure we are heading in the right direction. At the moment we have taken him off the training field."

Whoever plays up front tomorrow, the Owls need goals and face a Palace side who are notoriously hard to break down.

Laws watched the Eagles earn a 1-1 draw at West Brom recently: "They are a hard nut to crack - a typical Neil Warnock team," he said.

"They work hard; they get the ball up to the strikers as quickly as possible; they get in as many crosses as they can; they never give anybody five minutes rest. I expect it's going to be in the same vein tomorrow."

Laws predicts Unitedite and ex-Blades boss Warnock will be keen to put one over the old enemy and will get the hot reception the Palace manager expects from at Hillsborough.

Warnock has said that he likes Laws, and the Wednesday chief admits: "I get on well with Neil."

Laws added, tongue in cheek: "I know he has said he thinks we will be safe and he wants both Sheffield clubs to do well. I'll take that with a pinch of salt! I think he's said that to try to get an easier time at Hillsborough!

"I love characters in the game. Some managers are very low key. I like to see managers who are vocal, who care, who show their passion. Neil's certainly one of those.

"He enjoyed it when they beat us at Crystal Palace. I hope he doesn't enjoy it this time at Hillsborough."

Laws expects the crowd to be noisier than usual, simply because it's Warnock.

"I think Neil was a bit disappointed with our supporters at Palace because it took them 25 seconds to start having a go at him!" he added.
"But we have to be very focussed on what we do. Forget Neil Warnock. This is a game we need to win, no matter who it's against."

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