Fulham recorded a 1-1 home draw with Bolton Wanderers on Wednesday night. New signing Jimmy Bullard saved the Cottages faces with his 90th minute penalty, cancelling out El-Hadji Diouf's 73rd minute spot kick.
Midfielder Michael Brown returned to the fold after coming through with blisters on his right foot; playing his second game of the season against the Trotters. Brown played for the Blades between 2000-2004; during his four year spell the former Manchester City man played 164 (6) games and scored 36 goals in a red and white shirt.
Claus Jensen will be out of action; the former Charlton player remains in the treatment room with a calf injury whilst ex Wednesday and Wales international Mark Pembridge is also out with a Achilles injury.
Fulham: Antti Niemi, Frank Queudrue, Phillipe Christanval, Ian Pearce, Liam Rosenior, Michael Brown, Papa Boupa Diop, Jimmy Bullard, Luis Boa Morte, Heidar Helguson, Brian McBride.
The Blades meanwhile went down to a 2-0 defeat to the hands of Tottenham Hotspur; Dimitar Berbatov and Jermaine Jenas putting pay to Blades sloppy defending.
United were without Rob Hulse (groin strain), Derek Geary (shin) and Paul Ifill (ill), though we believe that Ifill and Hulse will return to the side against Fulham.
Meanwhile Neil Warnock could hand a full debut to striker Christian Nade; the French-under 21 international impressed after coming off the substitutes bench at White Hart Lane last Tuesday. Nade was signed on a free transfer from Troyes this summer.
Sheffield United: Paddy Kenny, Robert Kozluk, Leigh Bromby, Chris Morgan, David Unsworth, Paul Ifill, Phil Jagielka, Michael Tonge, Chris Armstrong, Christian Nade, Danny Webber.
Blades-Mad Prediction: Fulham 1-1 Sheffield United
Blades boss Neil Warnock will be returning from his two match touchline ban; he was originally suspended after using foul and abusive language during a Championship encounter with Leeds United last season; Graham Poll was in charge of the game.
Unfortunately for United and Mr. Warnock the same said person will be officiating the game; and United haven't faired well with Mr. Poll in charge.
Graham Poll in Charge of Blades matches:
- 1997-98 Sheffield United 0-1 Newcastle United *
- 2000-01 Crystal Palace 0-1 Sheffield United
- 2002-03 Sheffield United 2-1 Stoke City
- 2002-03 Arsenal 1-0 Sheffield United *
- 2005-06 Sheffield United 1-1 Leeds United
* FA Cup Semi-Final at Manchester United