Coventry City vs. Sheffield United
Saturday, 15 January 2011
npower Championship
@ Ricoh Arena – Kick-Off: 3:00pm
Last weekend the Blades took at break from the regular domestic league to concentrate on the FA Cup; they faced Aston Villa at Bramall Lane and took a swift exit in a 3-1 defeat.
The visitors sprung into a two goal lead before half-time via ex-Blade Kyle Walker (9 minutes) and Marc Albrighton (33). United pulled one back when Jamie Ward (48) polished off his spot kick but despite their attempts to draw level Villa hit back through Stilian Petrov (90) in added time.
Prior to finding the third goal, the visitors were reduced to ten men when Ashley Young received his second yellow card of the match. The Villa Park club will face Blackburn Rovers at home in an all Premier League tie at home in the fourth round.
Defenders Joe Matlock (West Bromwich Albion) and Shane Lowry (Aston Villa) could both make their Sheffield United debut’s at the Ricoh Arena this weekend. The pair has both joined on loan from their respective clubs’ until the remainder of the season.
However, United will be without a number of key players; Captain Chris Morgan (knee) has been sidelined for the remainder of the season through injury, whilst; Nyron Nosworthy (ankle), Andy Taylor (leg), Ryan France (back), Richard Wright (thigh) and Darius Henderson (hamstring) are also unavailable.
They will though be boosted by the availability of midfielder Stephen Quinn who returns from a three match suspension.
Expected Eleven: Simonsen, Matlock, Bartley, Ertl, Parrino, Yeates, Montgomery, Williamson, Quinn, Ward, Evans.
Coventry City made a safe passage into the fourth round of the FA Cup after cover coming Crystal Palace in the all Championship affair. Freddy Eastwood (15) and Carl Baker (17) netted quick fire goals for the Sky Blues in a 2-1 win – they face a Midlands Derby at Birmingham City in the next round.
City currently sit eleventh in the Championship table whilst the Blades are just one point safe of the relegation zone.
Blues boss Aidy Boothroyd is expected to be without James McPake (back) and Ben Turner (knee) through injury ahead of their game against the Blades.
Striker Marlon King is also sidelined through suspension; he will serve the third of a three match ban following his sending off in a 1-1 draw with Ipswich Town on New Year’s Day.
Expected Eleven: Westwood, Keogh, Craine, Wood, O’Halloran, Doyle, Baker, Gunnarsson, Eastwood, Jutiewicz, McSheffrey.