FAC: Sheffield Wednesday v Swansea preview

Sheffield Wednesday v Swansea preview

Carlos Carvalhal returns to Hillsborough for the first time since leaving Sheffield Wednesday as he looks to guide Swansea to a first FA Cup quarter-final since 1964.

The Portuguese boss has not looked back since parting company with the club on Christmas Eve, winning six of his 11 games with the Swans and lifting them out of the Premier League relegation zone.

Carvalhal has already said he will prioritise Premier League survival over a run in the cup, telling reporters: "We won't take any risks and there will be changes because I will protect some players, I'm absolutely sure about that.

"Ask me to stay in the Premier League or win the cup, and I say Premier League because it is more important to the club."

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But hoping to get a good reception back in Sheffield, the Swansea boss added: "I have said I am an Owl and I will be an Owl forever.

"We had one play-off final and one semi-final, and they were unbelievable and very strong emotional moments, that makes me think I will be part of the club forever."

Wednesday finally got back to winning ways against Derby County on Tuesday night, their first victory in eight Championship games, but have not beaten Premier League opposition in the FA Cup since they saw off city rivals Sheffield United in the 1993 semi-final.

Lucas Joao is in good form for the hosts with three in his last three, but Atdhe Nuhiu has been their cup hero so far, scoring three times in two games.

Jos Luhukay said his side would give the FA Cup their full focus in search of a first quarter-final appearance since 1997.

He said: "We can also think 'OK, Tuesday, Millwall, which is more important?'. Your dream as a player, and also as a coach, is to play at Wembley in front of 90,000 people.

"There is a long way to go but when you get a chance to get to the last eight then you are close to the final."

Sheffield Wednesday trio Sean Clare, Jordan Thorniley and Jack Stobbs will miss the Saturday lunchtime clash having previously played in the competition for other clubs, while forward Marco Matias serves the final instalment of a three-match ban.

Cameron Dawson returns in goal, as he has done for Wednesday's previous two cup outings, and midfielder Ross Wallace, rested for the midweek league win over Derby, will hope to start.

Andre Ayew and Andy King are cup-tied for Swansea, while injuries have ruled out Leroy Fer, Wilfried Bony and Renato Sanches.

Sweden international Kristoffer Nordfeldt is also set to start in goal and Carvalhal could make other changes, with Kyle Bartley, Luciano Narsingh, Wayne Routledge and Tammy Abraham all likely to play.