Irish underage international Derek Geary could be joining Alan Quinn in the Sheffield Wednesday starting line-up for the Division One game against Nottingham Forest on Saturday.

The 20-year-old Dubliner was an unused substitute against Wimbledon last weekend in what turned out to be a humiliating day for all involved with the Hillsborough club.

But the departure of on-loan right-back Simon Grayson - because the club could not afford the pay the £300,000 asking price that Blackburn put on the player - could well lead to Geary making his first-team debut.

Fellow Irishman Mark McKeever could also figure in the game. The striker has been fighting back to fitness after a lengthy injury and was hoping to get a run out with the reserves mid-week to check his fitness.

The reserve game was called off, but manager Paul Jewell could still take a risk on him and start him on Saturday.

Irish u21 international David Billington was also hoping to play for the reserves to show his sharpness to his new boss but he will now have to wait until another time to impress Jewell.