Sheffield Wednesday have a "massive" advantage over play-off opponents Sunderland

Midfield dynamo George Byers has claimed home advantage in the second leg of their monumental play-off showdown with Sunderland could be "massive" in their quest for promotion. Sheffield Wednesday booked their place in the end-of-season jamboree by brushing aside Portsmouth 4-1 at a sold-out Hillsborough last weekend.

The result set up a two-legged affair against a Black Cats side that are just as keen to regain their place in the Championship next season. The first leg is scheduled to take place at the Stadium of Light on Friday, with the reverse fixture at S6 on Monday, May 9.

Byers told Yorkshire Live: "It’s massive for us that the second leg is at home. You’ve seen what the crowd is like. It was incredible (against Portsmouth), and that just pushes us on to do the best that we can. That’s what we need."

Wednesday injury round up ahead of Sunderland

Wednesday head to Wearside on the back of consecutive wins over Fleetwood Town and Portsmouth. But Byers has warned his team-mates not to underestimate the threat Sunderland will pose.

"It’s going to be a tough game," he said. "They’re a good side with good players, but we’re a good side with good players as well.

"It’ll be tough, but we’ll go into confident and if we stick to our game plan and know what we’re good at, then hopefully we’ll get the job done. We need to stick to the game play that’s set out for us, and if we stick to what we’re good at then we know what we’re capable of."

The Owls and the Black Cats have already played each other twice this season. Wednesday cruised to a 3-0 win at Hillsborough but Sunderland gained sweet revenge in their own backyard, putting five past Darren Moore's outfit.

Byers said: "We’re level over both games. It was 3-0 at home