Sheffield United travel to Glanford Park tomorrow with a depleted squad that could include no fit strikers.
Darius Henderson has today gone down with flu, which is a worry to Kevin Blackwell who is fearing the worst over his usually reliable centre forward.
‘Darius didn’t do any work.
‘He spent the morning speaking with the doctors instead to see what they might be able to do. Who knows whether he’ll be able to take part of not?
Ched Evans withdrew from the Wales squad this week with a knock, Jamie Ward has been missing since the Steel City derby, and Richard Cresswell suffered two broken ribs as he equalised in the game against Doncaster Rovers last week.
The chances are, two of these are likely to make it, if not more for the Championship encounter, but doubts over all four senior strikers at the club are not very reassuring as the Blades look to cement their place in the top six.
What The Managers Said:
Kevin Blackwell:
‘It is a tough game for sure. Scunthorpe are always difficult to beat at Glanford Park, so that makes it a very dangerous place to go to.
‘It will be a sell-out, an early kick-off and a great atmosphere, which will mean they are certainly up for it.
‘They are proud to be in the Championship and won’t give that status up without a real fight.
‘I have the greatest respect for what Nigel Adkins has achieved there and we will treat the fixture as if we were going to Newcastle or any other top club.
Nigel Adkins:
‘The lads are in good spirits, have worked very hard and are looking forward to the game.
‘Can we repeat the pulsating 3-2 victory that we recorded over them two years ago when we were last in the Championship.
‘What a great game we have in prospect if we can do that.
‘I hope we can come flying out of the traps again like we did last time we had an international break.
‘I can assure you the ball will be put forward very directly, and we’ve got to compete, win the second ball and then we have to earn the right to play.
‘They narrowly missed out on promotion last year. Kevin Blackwell has done a great job there – he’s changed the team yet again and we’ve got to be at our best to give ourselves an opportunity.
Scunthorpe United Team News:
Scunthorpe have defender Rob Jones back from injury after a short lay off. Jones, signed from Hibernian in the summer is a commanding centre half who missed the Iron’s encounter against Plymouth Argyle with a hamstring problem.
Defensive partner David Mirfin is also available as is goalkeeper Joe Murphy.
Player to watch: Joe Murphy
Murphy was linked with the Blades in the summer, and has been in the media spotlight over the summer.
The Irish stopper has improved greatly since his career began with Tranmere Rovers, and has earned International recognition with a cap for Ireland.
Sheffield United Team News:
There perhaps isn’t a block big enough to mention the Blades injury worries, as doubts have been cast over more than ten of the first team squad.
As well as the striker situation, James Harper, Nick Montgomery and Chris Morgan are all doubts, whilst Matt Kilgallon appears to have overcome his latest setback.
Meanwhile, left sided players Andy Taylor and Keith Treacy are also reported to have missed some training this week with unspecified injuries.
Lee Williamson, Gary Naysmith, Derek Geary are all on the recovery trail, but are still some way off being ready for first team action.
Expected line up: (With all the injury problems)
Bunn, Walker, Davies, Kilgallon, Stewart, Little, Quinn, France, Reid, Cotterill, Cresswell.
Expected lineup if some of the injuries aren’t as bad as we’re being made to believe:
Bunn, Walker, Davies, Kilgallon, Stewart, Cotterill, Quinn, France, Treacy, Evans, Cresswell.
Player to watch: Jordan Stewart
Stewart almost made an immediate impact in his home debut last week with an assist in the opening minute. Stewart offers a different aspect to the Blades going forward and isn’t scared to push onto the byline to create a better angle for the cross.
The Last Time:
The Last Time:
Scunthorpe United 3-2 Sheffield United
The Blades were dealt a sucker punch in the game at Glanford Park two years ago. After Danny Webber had come on and reduced the Blades 2-0 defecit, the Iron snatched a well deserved winner at the end through a Matthew Sparrow goal.
Ref Watch:
Mr Bates will officiate the game tomorrow (hold the jokes please). Bates three games for the Blades last season resulted in two wins (Doncaster away, Charlton home in the FA Cup) and a draw (away at Wolves).
Match Prediction:
Despite a depleted squad, I believe the Blades will have enough for the points tomorrow. Scunthorpe will come at the Blades and scrap for every loose ball, which some of the Blades more cavalier players won’t like, but I see us scraping it 1-0
Next Fixtures:
United return to Bramall Lane next Saturday, but not before a midweek trip to Blackpool. Newcastle United suffered their first defeat of the season at Bloomfield Road, and it will provide a tough encounter for the Blades.