TOWN manager Peter Jackson today paid tribute to his old Leeds Road teammate and Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Chris Marsden.

A developing star in his formative years with Town, Marsden (now 35) will do battle against Jackson and Co at Hillsborough tomorrow (3.00) playing for his 10th club.

Marsden played 155 matches for Town between July 1988 and January 1994, becoming a firm favourite along the way, and he more recently established himself in the Premiership and captained Southampton to the FA Cup final.

Jackson knows all about Marsden's possible impact tomorrow - and that of striker Steve MacLean, who scored four times against Town for Scunthorpe last season - but he's happy the Galpharm side have what it takes to win.

"The pressure will be on Wednesday tomorrow because while they've won at Blackpool and Torquay, they lost their only Hillsborough game 3-0 to Colchester," said Jackson.

"We have had Wednesday watched and we know what they are about, so I'll be stressing to the lads how important it is for us to start the game well.

"As a unit we need to be tight and solid and we need to get after them. No way can we afford to sit back. We can't give them anything, especially early in the game."

On Marsden, Jackson added: "I like Chris a lot as a player and a person and I've nothing but admiration for what he has achieved.

"We were good friends at Town, he has gone on to have a terrific career and I'll be one of the first to see him after the game.

"He is one of the Wednesday dangermen, along with Steve MacLean and his strike partner, Lee Peacock, and we can't afford to give them room anywhere on the pitch, otherwise they are likely to punish us."

While Andy Booth's first return to Hillsborough has captured the headlines, Terry Yorath is also back at the club where he was coach and manager and Jackson hopes they both get a good reception from the fans.

"I hope they both get the respect they deserve from the Wednesday fans," said Jackson.

"While it didn't go that well for Taff there, he is a terrific coach who gave great commitment. Boothy was also a good player for them, so I hope the fans recognise that fact."

Wednesday have Republic of Ireland Under 21 captain Glen Whelan in contention for the first time after serving a three-match ban to start the season.

Signed from Manchester City in the summer, he could come into midfield for Lewis McMahon.

Chris Brunt won his first full Northern Ireland cap on Wednesday when playing as a substitute against Switzerland. He is likely to be on the bench once again.