Match Preview: Portsmouth v Sheffield United

pompey v blades saturday, 23 december 2006 fratton park kick-off: 3:00pm

Portsmouth are unlikely to make any changes that drew at the Emirates Stadium - meaning that the Blues will go with one upfront as they face a striker shortage.

However they only face three injury casualties; Lomano Lua-Lua (thigh) and much travelled Andy Cole (Achilles) will all sit out as they Blades travel to Fratton Park. Mean while Benjamin Mwaruwari (hamstring) has returned to training and may be fit for Saturday's encounter.

Defender Dejan Stefanovic will also miss the match with a knee injury. Formerly with Red Star Belgrade and Vitesse Arham the Serbia & Montenegro international played 65 (+ 7 as sub) for Sheffield Wednesday between December 1995 and May 1999, he also managed five goals.

Possible Pompey Line-Up: David James, Glen Johnson, Linvoy Primus, Sol Campbell, Noe Pamarot, Gary O'Neil, David Thompson, Davis, Pedro Mendes, Matthew Taylor, Nwankwo Kanu.

Sheffield United claimed their third win in four games at Wigan Athletic last week when on the stroke of half-time Rob Hulse turned in Stephen Quinn's cross for the only goal of the game.

The Blades list two injuries on their list; striker Neil Shipperley (calf) and Chinese international Midfielder Li Tie (leg haematoma), both players are reserve team members and don't effect the starting eleven though we do wish that they return to action soon.

The Blades list David Unsworth on their team sheet although it is unlikely he will play a part in the game. He left Everton in July 2004 where he joined Portsmouth, playing 19 games in total and scored twice. He left Fratton Park in August 2005 and came to Bramall Lane on a free transfer.

Possible Blades Line-Up: Paddy Kenny, Robert Kozluk, Chris Morgan, Claude Davis, Derek Geary, Keith Gillespie, Phil Jagielka, Michael Tonge, Stephen Quinn, Rob Hulse, Danny Webber.

Man in the Middle: Graham Poll (Hertfordshire)

Last Time: 2002-03 - Portsmouth 1-2 Sheffield United