Sheffield Wednesday will be targeting a first home win of the season when they welcome Preston North End to Hillsborough on Saturday.

Preston North End manager Paul Heckingbottom has praised Sheffield Wednesday’s competitiveness ahead of Saturday’s trip to Hillsborough, describing it as a “dangerous game” for his team.

Despite suffering an 11th Championship defeat of the season against Millwall at The Den on Wednesday night, the Owls produced a better performance than the one they had served up just over 72 hours earlier in the Steel City derby defeat against Sheffield United at Hillsborough.

But despite going close through a moment of Barry Bannan brilliance and a Charlie McNeill effort that struck the crossbar, the Owls were undone by a Femi Azeez header, condemning them to a third straight defeat.

MORE: Why Sheffield Wednesday waited on new signing Nathan Redmond - and where it leaves Duncan Watmore

Rooted to the foot of the Championship table with a threadbare squad, Wednesday’s chances of beating the drop this season are as good as over, but there is still a hunger to get points on the board, particularly at home, where the Owls are still searching for a first victory of the season.

Having often put up a respectable fight in difficult circumstances, Heckingbottom is wary of the challenge that comes with facing his former club, admitting his players cannot underestimate Henrik Pedersen’s team.

Heckingbottom delivers Owls verdict

“With the position they're in in the league, they're fighting for every game, fighting for every point and being really competitive,” Heckingbottom told North End’s club website.

“What's hindered them is the size of the squad and the options that you've then got, which obviously we've experienced but that's through injuries and suspensions, whereas they've got that constantly.

MORE: How existing Sheffield Wednesday players helped bring new signing Nathan Redmond to Hillsborough

“Away from that, there's still a positive feel around the place because there's light at the end of the tunnel now. It's not like there's any pressure on the manager or on the players, except for the pressure they're putting on themselves, which makes it another dangerous game.

“We've got to make sure that we go there with no pity and being as honest and as aggressive and as intense as we possibly can, just like we do every game to get three points.”