Dieng answers Sheffield Wednesday's derby day SOS

Embattled Sheffield Wednesday are to use a seventh goalkeeper of their increasingly dismal campaign after Middlesbrough's Seny Dieng answered an SOS call for the Steel City derby.

The Owls could have relegation to League One confirmed in Sunday's lunchtime kick-off at local rivals Sheffield United in what seems likely to be a fiercely contested affair.

And they will be attempting to avoid that with a seventh stopper of the season between the sticks after an injury crisis forced them to sign the 31-year-old Senegal international as a second emergency loan of the season.

It might appear easier to list those who have not had a go with the gloves for the Owls this season than those who have.

First-choice goalkeeper Pierce Charles started the season but was replaced by Ethan Horvath after three games when the first of two shoulder injuries sidelined him.

Horvath, who was on loan from Cardiff, stepped in for 16 games but was sent off during in the middle of his spell in October, with defender Liam Palmer donning the gloves for the final minutes against Charlton.

The Owls made it four for the season with their first emergency loan moving for Bristol City's Joe Lumley for two games to cover Horvath's suspension.

Charles returned from injury in December, managing eight matches, before a recurrence of his shoulder injury in the FA Cup third-round tie against Brentford forced them to make it five with 19-year-old Logan Stretch in the nets for the last half hour of that match.

Murphy Cooper, hastily signed on loan from QPR in mid-January, managed seven appearances in all competitions before sustaining a muscle injury which continues to keep him out of contention.

Now Wednesday have moved to secure another emergency deal for Dieng just 48 hours out from their date with destiny – the Boro man poised to be number seven of the season.

Dieng, who has fallen behind Sol Brynn and Jon McLaughlin in the Boro pecking order and has not played since May last year, looked to be on his way to Feyenoord only for a January move to fall through.

The Owls will be hoping he can help them avoid the final ignominy of a miserable campaign being delivered by the Blades on Sunday but go into the match 41 points from safety, winless in 26 games and having lost their last nine.

In addition, the Owls have not won a derby at Bramall Lane since 2009.