Sheffield United go into Tuesday night’s game with Nottingham Forest looking for a fourth straight victory.
Kevin Blackwell’s side have completed their tour of the south with winning goals in the dying moments of games against Bristol City and Plymouth Argyle.
However, tonight’s game against Forest will see the Blades come up against an in-form team, who put five goals past Leicester City at the weekend.
United will again be without Darius Henderson, but Ched Evans is likely to be recalled to the squad at the expense of a midfielder.
Meanhwile, after picking up a knock at the weekend, Carl Ikeme is likely to drop out of the side, and will be replaced by fellow loanee Mark Bunn.
Kevin Blackwell
Manager Blackwell saw leading goalscorer Darius Henderson drop out of the side at the weekend owing to an injury, and the continuing injury crisis is becoming increasingly concerning for the Blades boss.
‘An MRI scan has revealed Darius has a tear so he’ll be out for two to three weeks.
‘We’ve talked a lot about injuries this season because we have had so many, all within games, and I don’t know why it keeps happening.’
Billy Davies
‘The maturity kicked in that day and that gave us great confidence to know we could go to these places and handle what they throw at us. That is where we are now.
‘We know what to expect at Bramall Lane, we know what crowd they have got, what the environment holds and the way they go about it.
‘ But it does not matter, we have got to be confident and, with this bunch, there is no doubt we can be a real thorn in the side of many teams.’
Sheffield United Team News:
Matthew Kilgallon is expected to stay at centre-back to combat the pace of Earnshaw and Blackstock. Naysmith could make his first appearance of the season from the bench, but aside from Evans possible inclusion, the Blades will only have a forced change in goal.
Player to watch: Jamie Ward
The lively forward is likely to regain his place on the right wing, and will come up against veteran full-back Nicky Shorey. Shorey, signed from Reading will have trouble dealing with Ward if he can claw back the form he found at the start of the season.
Nottingham Forest Team News:
Forest are expected to be unchanged from the victory at the weekend, with hat-trick hero Rob Earnshaw starting the game up front.
Guy Moussi is expected to miss out, but James Perch is a certain absentee with an ongoing ankle problem.
Player to watch: Paul McKenna
Earnshaw and Blackstock will be looking to cause havoc in the Blades much shuffled backline, but in order for the creative players to provide the service it requires an experienced head to sit and pull the strings.
This makes the shrewd capture of McKenna in the Summer, perhaps Davies’ most significant transfer, especially at a cut rate price. With the Blades midfield in tatters, and non-existent on many occasions, McKenna is likely to dictate the game, should the Blades allow it.
Match Facts & Stats
Forest are one of the few teams in the Championship that hold the advantage in terms of victories over the years. Forest have won 42 of the 111 games played between the sides (39 in the league), with the Blades having the edge in 41.
Neither side has scored two goals in a game between the side since 2003, although there have been just four league games since.
Match Prediction:
If the Blades don’t start quickly, this game could finish in a similar vein to last year, with Forest holding the majority of the possession. However, in Earnshaw, Blackstock and Anderson there’s an outlet for creativity so goals could come for the visitors. I’ll go for an ambitious 2-2, with the Blades coming from behind.