Hull City head coach makes selection decision for Sheffield Wednesday derby

Head coach Tim Walter has confirmed Joao Pedro will continue to lead the line at Hull City as the Tigers chief looks to end a run of eight games without victory.

City host Sheffield Wednesday this evening looking to halt a run of three straight defeats which has left his side stuck in the bottom three, and a point adrift of safety after 16 games of the season.

Pedro has two goals to his name so far, but that tally should have doubled at Luton Town on Saturday, with the one-time Italian international missing a gilt-edged chance in the first half followed by an effort off the post in the second, and has received the backing of his manager.

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Walter also has Chris Bedia and Mason Burstow as attacking options, but says Pedro will continue to be his main striker, for now, at least, as he looks to find a way to get his side scoring goals having seen them dry up in worrying fashion in the past month.

"He scored in the game before and he's in very good positions because he has the experience to get himself into the positions to score, and he has the ability to score," Walter said. "Also, Chris has the chance to score in the this game, nobody is doing it on purpose, I know they have the skills and they will do it."

Burstow has found opportunities limited since arriving from Chelsea in the summer, and was started on the right flank against West Brom before the international break, with Walter suggesting his style isn't suited to playing through the middle.

"He (Burstow) started against the West Brom on the wing. It could be everything, but I think he's more the one who is not fighting against the opposition players, he's the one who is coming from the back and trying to cheat them with a run. He's maybe not positioning himself next to the opposition and getting into a fight, he's not that kind of striker. All (of them) are different and we have to pick the one who has the best runnings and who has the best nose for the situations and at the moment, that's definitely Joao."

One who could start is Kasey Palmer as he searches for a first MKM Stadium start of the season, having come off the bench to have a positive impact at Luton, having had their first shot on target after 75 minutes, before coming close to equalising when his drive deflected up and off goalkeeper Thomas Kaminski and flying over.

"Could be," Walter said of Palmer possibly being handed a start. "The first time I was really happy with him because he showed me that he wants to listen, to improve himself. It's not about just creating, it's also about fighting for your team and getting the ball back being better in counter pressing situations. Sometimes it's just a reaction and he proved it. Maybe tomorrow he's on the road to start, but nobody knows."

Predicted starting XI: Pandur, Drameh, Hughes, Jones, Coyle (c), Slater, Simons, Palmer, Omur, Kamara, Pedro.

What would your starting XI be? Have your say in the comments below...