New man at helm

DAVE Jones is looking to extend a sparkling start to his career as Sheffield Wednesday manager this weekend, by taking two more big steps on the path to automatic promotion.

First, the Owls travel the short distance to take on rivals Huddersfield in an early kick-off tomorrow (12.30pm), a game in which a defensive change will be necessary as a result of a two-game ban being started by centre-back captain Rob Jones.

Danny Batth appears to be at the front of the queue as a replacement, as Wednesday bid to improve on Jones' record so far of five wins and a draw from six games played.

Wednesday are currently only three points clear of the Terriers, following the latter club's 2-1 win at Leyton Orient on Tuesday in what was their game in hand.

Then on Easter Monday (12.45pm kick-off), Athletic travel to Hillsborough for a game against Jones' side looking to avenge the 2-0 defeat engineered by previous man at the helm, Gary Megson.

Dickov will be wary of the threat of lively winger Michail Antonio and the forward power of Gary Madine, the ex-Carlisle forward scoring twice in another televised game against Preston last week.