Furman focused on Owls test

DEAN Furman is expecting a terrific atmosphere at Boundary Park tomorrow.

DEAN Furman is dreaming of Anfield and Wembley — but will be wide awake to the challenge of Sheffield Wednesday in tomorrow’s npower League One clash.

The Athletic skipper is as excited as anyone about the prospect of overcoming Southend in Tuesday’s FA Cup second-round replay, with the winners travelling to Liverpool.

And he is salivating at the chance to lead out the team at the ‘home of football’ should they see off Chesterfield over two legs in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy Northern Area final.

But the South African has also been counting down the hours to the visit of Gary Megson’s title-chasing Wednesday side, who will be roared on by a sell-out travelling contingent at Boundary Park.

Furman said: “We honestly cannot wait for this match to come around, it is a huge game for us.

“Anfield and Wembley are both achievable — why not? But tomorrow is important to us.

“Boundary Park is a great place to be when it is full of supporters and the fact Sheffield Wednesday are bringing so many fans is a good thing.

“Shefki Kuqi was a legend at Wednesday and he is doing brilliantly for us, so hopefully he can continue his good goalscoring form tomorrow.

“We are in the middle of a winning habit at the moment and there is no reason why we cannot build on our six-game unbeaten run.”

Furman is likely to return to the heart of the Athletic engine room having served a one-match ban against former club Bradford City in midweek. He watched with pride as Paul Dickov’s side secured a 2-0 victory to seal that showdown with John Sheridan’s Chesterfield next month.

He will replace the in-form James Wesolowski, who misses tomorrow’s game due to his own suspension, having picked up a fifth yellow card of the season against the Bantams.

Centre-half Nathan Clarke suffered the same fate, with his jersey almost certain to be taken by fit-again Zander Diamond.

Furman is glad to be back in action, especially after witnessing an all-action performance from his replacement, Tom Adeyemi.

He said: “Tom scored a great goal against Bradford and some of the runs he makes in matches are unbelievable.

“Getting on the scoresheet from midfield is crucial because we need goals to come from all over the pitch.

“No-one’s place is guaranteed and that is exactly the sort of headache the manager wants.

“It is a good problem to have, especially when everyone is playing well.”

Meanwhile, Athletic cannot yet confirm the date for the Northern Area final second leg at Boundary Park as it depends on the outcome of their forthcoming FA Cup ties.

The club say they may not be able to offer a definitive answer until early January.