Stuart Gray is staying positive ahead of Sheffield Wednesday’s visit to Town on Saturday despite a second successive defeat, another injury to a key player and a hectic schedule.

The derby duel is the first of three all-Yorkshire showdowns in a row for Town, who host Barnsley a week on Saturday and go to Doncaster seven days after that.

For Wednesday, it’s the middle game of three in six days, with their big FA Cup fifth-round showdown with Charlton at Hillsborough taking place on Monday.

Owls chief Gray, 53, is seeking a first quarter-final appearance either as a player or manager, with the prospect of a steel-city derby at Sheffield United adding spice to the contest.

But Wednesday, who have shown much-improved form under the ex-Southampton and Northampton boss, still need points to ensure Championship safety.

They had gone 11 unbeaten in all competitions before losing 3-0 at home to Wigan nine days ago and 1-0 against Derby back at Hillsborough on Tuesday.

Gary’s 17th-placed side were competitive against the Rams, but lost out to a super strike by on-loan Chelsea frontman Patrick Bamford.

They also lost Kieran Lee with a hamstring problem, that after his fellow central midfielder Jose Semedo suffered an ankle injury against Wigan.

“The central part of our midfield, Semedo and Lee, have been outstanding, but suddenly we have lost them both,” said Gray. “It’s disappointing.

“But it’s part and parcel of football, and it opens the door for somebody else to come in and catch the eye.”

Wednesday, who began under the command of Dave Jones, have used 37 players this season, including former Town loan striker Benik Afobe, who could feature on Saturday.

Three more loanees, Chelsea defender Sam Hutchinson, Aston Villa midfielder Gary Gardner and Blackburn striker Leon Best, made their debuts against Derby.

“There was a lot of commitment, effort, desire and enthusiasm, and I don’t think my players deserved that defeat,” added Gray. “I thought we kept their big players quiet and certainly should have had a point, but we were undone by a wonder goal.”

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