Jewell continues war of words with Warnock

The Sheffield Wednesday manager, Paul Jewell, takes his resurgent side to Crystal Palace today still seething at remarks made by Sheffield United's Neil Warnock, who claimed the Owls were lucky to win the Worthington Cup tie against his team in midweek.

The Sheffield Wednesday manager, Paul Jewell, takes his resurgent side to Crystal Palace today still seething at remarks made by Sheffield United's Neil Warnock, who claimed the Owls were lucky to win the Worthington Cup tie against his team in midweek.

"He said they have got a brighter future, then he had better wear shades as the song goes," said Jewell. "But he must not have looked at our team sheet, because, if we were lucky to beat them in his words, he has more or less been beaten by a youth team - seven of our players that finished the game were 21 or under.

"His youth team might be playing in the Northern Intermediate League or whatever, but our youth team is playing in the First Division. Maybe he should have a look at his future."

Palace, meanwhile, may not have won a league game in seven attempts, but the Eagles thrashed the Worthington Cup holders, Leicester City, 3-0 on Wednesday. "I have got a nice problem deciding who to pick," said the Palace manager, Alan Smith. "We are trying to build a squad and the returning players give us options we have not had recently."

Birmingham City's on-loan striker Mark Burchill has been told he still has a bit to prove before he can seal a permanent move from Celtic. The Scot, expected to start against Bolton Wanderers today, took his goal tally for the club to four in the win over Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday, but the City chairman, David Gold, said: "We are to look at him for a further two months and then a decision will be made. Like most people, Mark has caught my eye, but we need to take a good long look. He does have electrifying pace and his movement is very impressive."

The veteran striker Mark Hughes will return to the Blackburn Rovers line-up against Stockport County after missing the midweek defeat by West Ham. The Rovers manager, Graeme Souness, said: "Stockport will make it difficult, but if we play our football like I know we can we will create chances."

Fulham will be without the Portuguese Luis Boa Morte, who scored twice against Wolves on Wednesday, for today's home game with Huddersfield Town as he is serving a one-match suspension.

Grimsby Town go to Watford in buoyant mood even though they are without the defender Danny Butterfield, who has an ankle injury. "Watford are top of the league, but we are going to go there with confidence," said the Grimsby manager, Lennie Lawrence. "We are on a good run at the moment."

West Bromwich will be without the suspended striker Lee Hughes for the visit of Burnley. "This will test us, because in my view the squad is not strong enough," said the Baggies' manager, Gary Megson.

Tranmere Rovers, who knocked Leeds United out of the Worthington Cup on Tuesday, have injury doubts over Wayne Allison, Steve Yates and Des Hamilton for the trip to Norwich City.

Crewe Alexandra hope to bounce back from a defeat at Burnley on Tuesday when they entertain Wolves. "We're up and down at the moment," said their assistant manager, Neil Baker. "They are a big club and we always seem to find it difficult against big sides."

Nottingham Forest recall Keith Foy for the visit of Preston. He has missed the last two games with a toe injury.