The Magpies go into the game two days after beating Italian outfit Palmero 1-0 in Sicily during their UEFA Cup Group Stage exploits; Albert Luque with a 37th minute winner.
Newcastle manager Glenn Roader can welcome back trio Damien Duff, Stephen Carr and Midfielder Scott Parker to the fray.
Giuseppe Rossi - the striker on loan from Manchester United is available again after sitting out the 1-0 win in Italy after he was ineligible to play whilst keeper Steve Harper will face a late fitness test. Harper sat on the bench last Thursday with third choice Tim Krul between the sticks.
In all the Toon face a further 6 who are the casualty list; Celestine Babayaro (groin), Michael Owen (knee), Obafemi Martins (hamstring), Shola Amiobi (hip), Kieron Dyer (eye) and Shay Given (abdomen) are all out injured.
Possible Magpies Line-Up: Tim Krul, Peter Ramage, Stephen Carr, Craig Moore, Titus Bramble, Nicky Butt, Scott Parker, Charles N'Zogbia, Damien Duff, Nolberto Solano, Giuseppe Rossi.
Sheffield United go into the game having suffered a 2-0 loss at Bramall Lane to the hands of Chelsea. Things could have gone the Blades way had Danny Webber slotted home his first half penalty.
He didn't and Frank Lampard scored a wonderful long range free-kick near the half-time whilst with German Midfielder Michael Ballack adding in the second.
The Blades will be without full-back Leigh Bromby who picked up a hamstring strain during the defeat to the Blues and will be out for an estimated one week with Derek Geary and Rob Kozluk both battling to take his place.
Early on in the game against Chelsea star Midfielder Michael Tonge was forced to walk off injured with an ankle injury, he was subsequently by replaced by Nick Montgomery who is likely to take his place - unless Neil Warnock is to be ambitious and finally give Li Tie a Premier League start.
United Midfield/Striker Colin Kazim-Richards is suffering from a slight knock to the knee although it is not thought to rule him out of the clash in the North East.
The Cutlers will field former Magpies Midfileder Keith Gillespie - the Northern Ireland international spent almost four years with Newcastle, signing in January 1995 from Manchester United before joining Blackburn Rovers in December 1998. During his time at St. James' Park Gillespie notched up 121 (+ 26) appearances whilst netting 14 goals.
Possible Blades Line-Up: Paddy Kenny, Robert Kozluk, Phil Jagielka, Claude Davis, Chris Armstrong, Mikele Leigertwood, Keith Gillespie, Nick Montgomery, Alan Quinn, Danny Webber, Rob Hulse.
Man in the Middle: Steve Bennett (Kent)
- 06.12.1997 - Norwich 2-1 Blades
- 28.03.1998 - Blades 2-1 Port Vale
- 16.10.2001 - Manchester City 0-0 Blades
- 09.03.2003 - Blades 1-0 Leeds United (FAC)
- 25.05.2003 - Blades 0-3 Wolves (POF)
Blades-Mad Prediction: Newcastle United 0-1 Sheffield United