Football: Weekend guide to the Premiership: MONDAY NIGHT'S GAME (8.0): Sheff Wed v Nottingham Forest

Last season: No fixture

SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY have the ability to raise themselves for the big games. They hinted as much when they beat Manchester United a fortnight ago and proved it on Saturday with their 1-1 draw against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. They were further boosted by the return to training of Paolo Di Canio this week; the Italian is still Wednesday's top scorer this season with three goals. His 11-match ban for pushing over referee Paul Alcock expires on Boxing Day and Wednesday fans are counting the days.

Manager Danny Wilson believes the team are improving and the recent run of results reflects that. "We've felt confident that we are progressing and as a result we have become more disciplined," he said. "We have deserved our last three results and we may have deserved a bit more."

Nottingham Forest, without a win in their last 12 Premiership matches, held League leaders Aston Villa to a 2-2 draw last weekend with an encouraging performance. Manager Dave Bassett was counting on the return of Ian Woan but the midfielder - who has not played this season following an operation on his knee in the summer - broke down in training and is unlikely to return to first-team action until early in the new year.