Barry Bannan issues rallying cry to Sheffield Wednesday supporters ahead of key Portsmouth clash

Star man Barry Bannan has called on Sheffield Wednesday's fans to roar them over the line in the pursuit of a top-six finish. Wednesday head into the final fixture of the regular league season with their destiny in their own hands.

Victory over Pompey would rubber-stamp fourth position and guarantee the Owls' participation in the League One play-offs. A draw could be sufficient depending on results elsewhere.

Wednesday are among four teams competing for three spots in the play-offs. A bumper crowd of over 33,500 will cheer the team on tomorrow lunchtime.

Hillsborough sold out for crucial Portsmouth match as Sheffield Wednesday seek to seal play-off spot

Speaking to the press corps this afternoon, Bannan said: "The fans have been brilliant. I have been lucky to be here for a lot of years now and witness a full house at Hillsborough and there are not many places better.

"It will be a first for some of the boys tomorrow. When you get the fans, it is like a 12th man at times. We are looking forward to having that tomorrow to push on to get the big three points that we need."

Bannan, named in the League One team of the season, believes Wednesday are a "different animal" from when they last played Portsmouth. The two teams played out a goalless draw at Fratton Park back in December.

Midfielder Massimo Luongo was sent off in the second half as the Owls dug deep to earn a point. Speaking to the press corps this afternoon, Bannan said: "They (Portsmouth) are a very good team. We found it hard down their earlier on in the season.

"They gave us a really tough game. We went down to 10 men and held on towards the end but we are a different team now.

"We had a makeshift back line that day with Pato, Palms and Marvin Johnson who