JASON Tindall is backing Cherries to maintain their early-season scoring spree as they look to breach Sheffield Wednesday’s ring of steel.

Cherries’ record as the second highest marksmen in League One will tomorrow be put to the test when they face the meanest defence in the division at Hillsborough (3pm).

The fourth-placed Owls have conceded just seven times in 12 league games – including only two in six on their own patch – and have kept four successive clean sheets.

Intriguingly, the South Yorkshire outfit has also mustered only four league goals at Hillsborough, while Cherries have plundered 19 at Dean Court – both having played six matches.

Assistant-boss Tindall, who held court at Cherries’ pre-match press conference yesterday, said: “Sheffield Wednesday are on a great run of form at the moment and I’m sure it is going to be an exciting encounter.

“Their away form has been very good but, with only two goals conceded at home, their record at Hillsborough isn’t too bad either. We know it’s going to be tough but we’re scoring goals and creating chances. If we perform to our capabilities then we’re confident we can cause them problems.”

Despite boasting the best home record in League One, Cherries head north having garnered a solitary point from their past three away games – at Oldham, Southampton and Brighton. Eddie Howe’s men also lost on the road at Charlton before winning 3-0 at Tranmere and drawing 2-2 at Huddersfield.

Tindall added: “Every game in this division is tough and we have already had some very hard tests away from home. Our home form has been exceptional and we have scored a lot of goals. It goes without saying that we would like to replicate that away from home.

“We went to Huddersfield and drew 2-2 and I would say that was a very good result. Drawing at top-of-the-table Brighton was another encouraging result, although we know we didn’t play particularly well at Southampton.

“It’s a lot different when you go away. You don’t have the atmosphere of a home crowd behind you and home teams tend to play on the front foot to make it difficult for the opposition, like we try to do at Dean Court.

“We will try to play against Sheffield Wednesday how we have been playing at home. If we can do that then we will cause a lot of problems for any opposition, no matter who they are. There is a lot at stake and lots to play for.”

Cherries are today hoping to receive clearance from the Football League for an extension to Adam Smith’s loan from Tottenham, keeping the teenage defender at Dean Court for a second month.

However, with injury doubts over Josh McQuoid (calf) and Michael Symes (shoulder), Steve Fletcher could be in line for his first League One start for more than three years. Both McQuoid and Symes are likely to face late fitness tests.

Cherries: (from) Jalal, Smith, Garry, Pearce, Wiggins, Feeney, Robinson, Bartley, Hollands, Pugh, McQuoid, Cooper, Fletcher, Bradbury, Cummings, Taylor, Symes, Purches, Partington, Stewart.

Wednesday: (from) Weaver, Buxton, Purse, Jones, Miller, Potter, O'Connor, Teale, Tudgay, Morrison, Johnson, Mellor, Sedgwick, Spurr, Hinds, Heffernan, Coke, Beevers, Jameson.