The Blades go head to head against Roy Keane's Ipswich Town after a long trip to Wales at the weekend where they played Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium. Both teams went into the break level pegging at 0-0 with United making steady progress in this fixture but it was the home side who took the lead when Lee Trundle (52 minutes) sent Bunn the wrong way from the penalty spot after he was fouled by Nick Montgomery inside the box.
The visitors looked to have levelled moments later when Darius Henderson's shot was saved by Dorus de Vries, leaving Ched Evans to bundle home, but he was ruled offside. However on 73rd minute the ball was in the City net when James Harper's shot was back heeled home by Stephen Quinn and four minutes later Jordi Lopez received his second yellow card of the game.
With eight minutes remaining a long range effort from Thomas Butler crept in off the woodwork to hand Swansea and rare victory; but deep into stoppage time former Blade Nathan Dyer kicked the ball away after a free-kick was given and he two was handed his marching orders.
United welcomed back a much missed Matthew Kilgallon (chest infection) for that fixture in South Wales after the defender was absent for the previous two outings against Coventry City (lost 2-3) and Sheffield Wednesday (won 3-2) through illness.
Winger Keith Treacy (leg) left the field of play at the early stages of that defeat in Wales and looks set to miss this encounter against the Tractor Boys - its likely he will be replaced by Glen Little.
Possible Blades Line-Up: Mark Bunn, Kyle Walker, Chris Morgan, Matthew Kilgallon, Andy Taylor, David Cotterill, James Harper, Nick Montgomery, Stephen Quinn, Glen Little, Darius Henderson.
If the Blades poor showing in South Wales can be nothing more but described as a 'poor performance' then Ipswich Town's 4-0 home drumming by Newcastle United on Saturday is indescribable after the Magpies found themselves three-nil ahead at the break.
Kevin Nolan (30) gave them the lead when he headed home from a free-kick and 90 seconds later doubled there lead when he rounded defender Pim Balkestein to slot home past Richard Wright before Ryan Taylor (34) cured home a free-kick into the top corner.
It was a woeful display by the Suffolk side and it really summed up their game when they recorded there first shot of the game on 72nd minute; but by then it was all cut and dry when Nile Ranger headed towards goal and Kevin Nolan (51) headed home his hat-trick; 4-0.
During the first half centre-half Alex Bruce (groin) - son of former Blades boss Steve Bruce was substituted early through injury and could possibly miss the tie at Bramall Lane - he is likely to be replaced by either Gareth McAuley or Tommy Smith.
Defender Liam Rosenior has already featured against the Blades this season and looks likely to start against the Red and White Wizards once again. He is currently on loan from Reading and should make his fifth start for the Portman Road side at the Lane, but he was part of the Royals side which lost 3-1 at home to the Blades on 22 August.
The Blues could turn to midfielders Lee Martin and Alan Quinn as well as forward Jonathan Stead whom have all turned out for the Blades during their careers - the trio were all unused substitutes in their 4-0 loss to the Toon.
Stead signed for United in January 2007 from Sunderland in a £750,000 deal - making his debut in a 1-1 home draw with Portsmouth. He made a total of 32 (+15) appearances and netted eleven goals in a red and white shirt before moving onto Ipswich Town, initially on loan in September 2008.
Meanwhile Alan Quinn joined on a free transfer from local rivals Sheffield Wednesday in July 2004, clocking up a total of 85 (+24) games and scored 11 goals from midfield. To date he is the only player in history to score a goal for both sides in a Steel City Derby; he joined Ipswich Town in January 2008 for £500,000.
Winger Lee Martin spent time at the Lane on a three month loan deal from Manchester United in January 2008; he made his debut as a substitute in a 2-0 defeat at Sheffield Wednesday and went onto making 7 (+2) appearances. He made a permanent move to
Ipswich Town in July 2009.
Possible Blues Line-Up: Richard Wright, Pim Balkestein, Liam Rosenior, Gareth McAuley, Jack Colbeck, Grant Leadbitter, Carlos Edwards, Liam Trotter, Damien Delaney, Jonathan Walters, Tamas Priskin.
Blades-Mad Prediction: Sheffield United 2-0 Ipswich Town
| Do you think you can Beat The Manager? Why not join our very own Prediction League and cast your predictions on the Blades forthcoming Championship fixtures. The league runs all season long and is a fantastic tool to show how you are as a Blade and as a football fan, so come along and play along!!! |
:: Match Officials ::
Referee: E. Ilderton
Assistants: C. Akers & M. Astley
Fourth Official: K. Heyward